* @[Mamoru] so, Yuma. You're coming to do this test.
* @YumaTsukumo is indeed and he looks pretty excited for it. Though he always looks excited for duels so that's nothing new.
* @[Mamoru] it's fair. duels are exciting. You get to the testing room, everything is set up. Mamoru's there. ... though he seems to be sitting with his head in his arms at one of the tables.
* @YumaTsukumo forgets his excitement for a moment when he sees him like that
<@YumaTsukumo> Er... hey, man. You okay?
<@[Mamoru]> *... hnmn. he opens his eyes a bit* ... I'm fine, Tsukumo. Apologies. I had a busy night. *he sits up, rubbing his head* You're here for the test, correct?
* @YumaTsukumo grins. "Right!!"
<@[Mamoru]> Good. You're the very last test I have scheduled, actually. *he takes a moment to get up, cricking his neck* So I wanted to ask. Would you mind if I do something new that I've been working on?
<@YumaTsukumo> Sure! I don't mind at all!
<@[Mamoru]> Alright. *he grabs the clipboard that was waiting on the end of the table, handing it over with a pen.* Please read and sign.
<@YumaTsukumo> No probs!
* @YumaTsukumo takes the clipboard and signs it!
* @[Mamoru] takes it back once you're finished, nodding after double-checking.
<@[Mamoru]> I'll get the system ready. Please stand there once you have your deck prepared. *he points to the spot in the room, before he goes to the door up to the observation deck*
* @YumaTsukumo nods and starts getting his deck and duel disk ready. Once they are, he stands in the spot. "Okay! Ready!!"
<@[Mamoru]> *Mamoru, meanwhile, gets the system ready, loading up the program he's been working on. Once he does a final check, he nods.* I'm about to start.
<@YumaTsukumo> Right!
* @[Mamoru] speaking through the intercom. "Three. Two. One. Go." He starts up the system, as the surroundings shift into... an arena? Not just an arena, but one with a full audience too!
<@YumaTsukumo> Oooooh!!
* @YumaTsukumo glances around in excitement!
* @[Mamoru] the audience themselves are even cheering, as you notice that opposite you stands a young man around your age with black hair and a white outfit, looking rather cleaned up but ready with his duel disk. An announcer goes on. "Everyone, we are here for the dueling match of the day! I know you're all excited, so please, give it up for our two duelists!"
* @[Mamoru] "The Duelist of the Heralds, our champion, Akira!" The boy raises his hand, smiling, as the crowd cheers. "And our Xyz Duelist who has come to bring the challenge, Yuma!" Hey, that's you! The crowd is also cheering for you, almost as hard as for your opponent.
* @YumaTsukumo grins and throws his arms up to wave at the audience!!
* @[Mamoru] "Here we go, everyone! The duel is about to start! The Action Field will now be set!" The card spins overhead, before stopping, showing the chosen field. "Action Field: Sanctuary in the Sky!"
* @[Mamoru] the surroundings further shift, turning into an arena in the heavens. You can still see the audience, though the stands almost seem to be floating in the clouds, as a great statue stands overhead.
<@YumaTsukumo> Oooh this is so awesome!
<Akira> I'm glad you approve. Though I'll admit, this field is more to my advantage, Tsukumo. I hope you won't hold it against me. *... ah! The opponent's speaking to you. He sounds so... natural. Whatever thing Mamoru's set up here is impressive.*
* @YumaTsukumo is amazed. It's like having a real opponent.
<@YumaTsukumo> Ah no, that's fine! Makes it more exciting!!
<Akira> Perfect. So, let's start. *he raises his hand* Duelists locked in battle!
<@YumaTsukumo> Kicking the earth and dancing in the air alongside their monsters!!
<Akira> They storm through this field! Behold!
<@YumaTsukumo> This is the newest and greatest evolution of Dueling! ACTION....
<Akira> Duel! (8000 LP)
<@YumaTsukumo> ...DUEL! (8000 LP)
* @[Mamoru] the action cards sphere appears overhead
* @[Mamoru] rotating, before shattering, scattering all over.
<Akira> I get the first move! *he draws his first five cards, as the audience cheers* Activate, Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen!
* @[Mamoru] he activates a continous spell, showing an ornate hallway. Which forms in part around the arena.
<Akira> Special Summon, The Agent of Creation - Venus! *a blonde angel appears, spreading her wings. (1600 ATK)*
<Akira> Effect activate! I use 500 LP three times... (6500 LP) To Special Summon three Mystical Shine Balls from my deck! *three glowing orbs appear, one blue, one red, and one purple, around Venus. (500 DEF x3)*
<Akira> Construct the Overlay Network! *the vortex appears before him, as the red and blue orbs dissolve into it* The two shining orbs, become purity itself! Xyz Summon!
<Akira> Herald of Pure Light! (1000 DEF)
* @[Mamoru] a semi-mechanical angelic being appears, shining brightly with a light green glow, arms in front of itself to guard.
<Akira> Next! Normal Summon, Herald of Orange Light! (300 ATK) *an orange crystal in mechanical armor and wings appears, swooping in* Herald of Orange Light is a Tuner monster!
<Akira> Tuning! Herald of Orange Light, and my remaining Mystical Shine Ball! Become the rainbow across the sky! *the rings and stars appear, before a streak of light forms* Synchro Summon!
<Akira> Herald of the Arc Light! (1000 DEF) *another mechanical angel appears, this time showing off a myraid of colors*
* @[Mamoru] geeze, he managed to do an Xyz Summon and a Synchro Summon in one turn... They might not be impressive stat-wise, but they probably have some effect...
<Akira> I end my turn!
* @[Mamoru] the announcer goes on. "Ah, there we go! Akira has already gotten out his Xyz Monster and his Synchro Monster, but this isn't the end!"
<@YumaTsukumo> Alright! It's My turn! DRAW!
* @YumaTsukumo looks at his hand then at the field. 'Maybe it's not exactly the same, but he's using some similar cards to Kotori's deck. So I know how some of them work!'
<@YumaTsukumo> First, I activate Mystical Space Typhoon on your Valhalla!!
* @YumaTsukumo activates his card causing a strong wind to blow towards Valhalla!
<Akira> Ghn! *Valhalla shatters from the wind, as it's effects on the field vanish*
<@YumaTsukumo> Next I normal summon Gogogo Ghost in attack!!
* @YumaTsukumo A very ghostly suit of armor appears! (1900 ATK)
<Akira> Spooky. Do what you can, though.
<@YumaTsukumo> I plan on it!
<@YumaTsukumo> Gogogo Ghost! Attack Herald of the Arc Light! FEAR STRIKE!!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Gogogo Ghost goes in for the attack, bringing it's sword down onto Hearld of the Arc Light!
* @[Mamoru] Herald of the Arc Light tries to zoom away, but it ends up getting hit with the bad end of the sword, irregardless. breaking apart and shattering.
<Akira> Effect activate! I add the Ritual Card, Machine Angel Absolute Ritual, from my deck to my hand.
* @[Mamoru] his disk spits out the card into his waiting fingers, before shuffling.
<@YumaTsukumo> Alright! Turn end!!
<Akira> Draw!
<Akira> I activate the card I just added, Machine Angel Absolute Ritual! To use this... I return Herald of the Orange Light and Herald of the Arc Light back to their respective decks, for the tribute!
<Akira> Ritual Summon! *he raises up his hands, as a magic circle appears around him* Cyber Angel Benten! (1800 ATK)
* @YumaTsukumo Huh rituals?? Now that's something he hadn't expected!
* @[Mamoru] a woman appears, eyes covered, weilding a fan and a chain as she poses.
<Akira> Battle! Benten, attack Gogogo Ghost! *Benten charges, swinging the stick end of her chain. But she's weaker than Gogogo Ghost.*
* @YumaTsukumo Huh. Why is he attacking?? Unless....
<Akira> From the hand!
<Akira> Honest!
<@YumaTsukumo> Gaahh, I knew it!
* @[Mamoru] he sends it to the Graveyard, as Benten gains angelic wings, her weapon glowing in turn.
* @[Mamoru] she swings at Gogogo Ghost, about blasting through him. (3700 ATK)
* @YumaTsukumo 's Gogogo Ghost is destroyed by the attack! (6200 LP)
<Akira> Venus, attack directly!
* @[Mamoru] Venus seems to chant, as three orbs form, each of them going at you, Yuma.
* @YumaTsukumo braces himself as the orbs hit him (4600 LP)
<Akira> Main Phase 2! I detach Mystical Shine Ball from the Herald of Pure Light-- adding Honest back to my hand, and shuffling the Herald of Ultimateness into the deck! *he slips the card in, as the deck shuffles, before getting back Honest. That's gonna be trouble...* I end my turn!
* @[Mamoru] the audience cheers as the announcer pipes back in. "Akira has made a heavy blow to the challenger! What will Yuma do now?"
<@YumaTsukumo> My turn! DRAW!
* @YumaTsukumo 'Oh man, with Honest back in his hand he can use it again... though... I might have a way to avoid it if he uses it again...'
<@YumaTsukumo> I normal summon Goblindberg to the field! I then activate it's effect to special summon Tasuke Knight from my hand!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Tasuke Knight appears beside Goblindberg, then Goblindberg switches to defense.
<@YumaTsukumo> Level 4 Goblindberg! Level 4 Tasuke Knight! OVERLAY!
* @YumaTsukumo 's two monsters shoot into the overlay vortex
<@YumaTsukumo> With these two monsters, I build the overlay network!
<@YumaTsukumo> XYZ SUMMON!
<@YumaTsukumo> Come forth, Number 39 - Aspiring Emperor Hope!! (2500 ATK)
* @YumaTsukumo grins as Hope appears onto the field!
<Akira> I'm guessing that's your ace, yes? What an impressive monster.
<@YumaTsukumo> Yup! This is my ace and important partner, Hope!
<@YumaTsukumo> Now, Hope! Attack Herald of Pure Light! HOPE SWORD SLASH!!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Hope lunges at Pure Light fast, striking it down with his sword!
* @[Mamoru] Pure Light tries to block it with it's arms, but Hope's sword simply slices through it. Cracking and shattering.
<@YumaTsukumo> Turn end!
<Akira> I draw! *he draws his card, and then looks at it, looking around* ... I end my turn!
* @[Mamoru] Akira starts running. He's going to look for Action Cards!
* @YumaTsukumo !
* @YumaTsukumo realizes he needs to be quick!
<@YumaTsukumo> My turn! DRAW!
<@YumaTsukumo> I activate Onomatopaira!
<@YumaTsukumo> I discard the Gagaga Girl in my hand and add Gogogo Giant and Gagaga Sister from my deck to my hand!
* @YumaTsukumo grabs the card, then inserts his deck back in his disk, it automatically shuffling
<@YumaTsukumo> I normal summon Gogogo Giant! (2000 ATK). Then, using it's effect, I special summon Gogogo Ghost from my graveyard in defense!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Gogogo Giant appears in defense, as Gogogo Giant also switches to defense. (0 DEF x2)
<@YumaTsukumo> Level 4 Gogogo Giant and Gogogo Ghost! OVERLAY!
* @YumaTsukumo 's monsters once again shoot into the overlay vortex
<@YumaTsukumo> With these two monsters I build the overlay network!
<@YumaTsukumo> XYZ SUMMON!
<@YumaTsukumo> Appear now! The master of maestros! Maestroke the Symphony Djinn! (1800 ATK)
<Akira> A second Xyz Summon...
* @[Mamoru] whichever attacks though, with Honest in hand...
<@YumaTsukumo> First, I detach one of Maestrokes overlay units to activate it's effect!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Maestroke swings it's baton as one of it's materials disappears
<@YumaTsukumo> I target Cyber Angel Benten in order to flip it into face-down defense!
<Akira> -- ah! Benten! *Benten vanishes under the shadows of a card.*
<@YumaTsukumo> Alright!
<@YumaTsukumo> Alright!
<@YumaTsukumo> Maestroke! Attack Benten! Symphonic Sound!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Maestroke waves his large sword baton, then quickly goes in, striking the face-down Benten!
* @[Mamoru] the covered card flips up, just in time for Benten to meet the baton personally. she yells and shatters at the impact.
<@YumaTsukumo> Hope! Attack Venus! HOPE SWORD SLASH!
* @YumaTsukumo Now it's Hope's turn as he lunges at Venus with his sword!
<Akira> From the hand, Honest! *he discards the card while he keeps running, as Venus gains the Honest Wings. (4100 ATK)*
* @YumaTsukumo grins
<@YumaTsukumo> I was hoping you'd use that!
<@YumaTsukumo> I detach one of Hope's overlay units!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Hope swings his sword at the unit, causing it to vanish.
<@YumaTsukumo> I negate Hope's attack!
* @YumaTsukumo Hope stops attacking and returns to Yuma's field.
<Akira> So it can stop its' own attacks... impressive.
<@YumaTsukumo> Yup! That's why I knew Hope was the best to have out, so I could use that effect when you next used Honest!
<@YumaTsukumo> Turn end!!
<Akira> Hnmm, I'll have to meet that challenge... Draw!
* @[Mamoru] he draws his card, as a streak of light appears.
* @YumaTsukumo !
<Akira> ... and it looks like I have something! Summon, Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands! (1400 ATK) *a strange being with an uncountable amount of hands appears on the field, as one of them pulls into nothing, and produces a card, which flings over to Akira* I add the Ritual Monster, Herald of Ultimateness, to my hand!
<Akira> Activate! The Ritual Card, Advance Ritual Art! I send two Gyakutenno Megami from my deck, each level 6, to pay for the cost! *a very large circle appears around him, as he stops for just a moment* Ritual Summon!
<Akira> Herald of Ultimateness! (3000 DEF) *a very large mechanical angel appears, it's wings glowing many colors, and it seems to tower over the field. ... the only problem is, Yuma, the air suddenly feels... weird?*
* @YumaTsukumo !!
* @[Mamoru] and it feels quiet out of nowhere, too.
* @YumaTsukumo goes rigid for a moment. What's... this feeling?
* @[Mamoru] it feels familiar. The whole audience looks frozen in place, as your opponent seems to glitch. Is-- is something going wrong with the program? Maybe a bug?
* @YumaTsukumo looks a little concerned with this weird familiar feeling and the glitching. He looks around at the frozen audience... what's going on?!
<Akira> Action Magic, Ritual Repayment! *while you're distracted by looking around at the frozen scenery, it looks like Akira grabbed an Action Card, only. something looks different. His eyes are glowing, and marks have appeared all over him. His form keeps glitching out in spots every so often.*
<Akira> I add two level 2 or lower monsters from my deck to my hand, equal to the number of monsters used for a Ritual Summon this turn. *two cards slip out and into his fingers, which he shows. Herald of the Purple Light, and Herald of the Green Light. ... wait, he's in a higher spot than he was before! How'd he get there?!*
<Akira> I finish my turn.
* @YumaTsukumo 's expression goes from 'concerned' to 'kinda freaked out'. He shakes his head as Akira finishes his turn. He's gotta concentrate!
* @YumaTsukumo 'M-Maybe this is just part of the programe? To put pressure on me? Yeah, that's it I'm sure!' He really doesn't look like he believes those thoughts.
<@YumaTsukumo> My turn! DRAW!
<@YumaTsukumo> I set a monster!
<@YumaTsukumo> Then Maestroke will attack Manju! SYMPHONIC SOUND!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Maestroke once again uses it's sword baton to strike at Manju this time!
* @[Mamoru] Manju tries to block with it's many many hands, before exploding. (6100 LP)
<@YumaTsukumo> Hope! Attack Venus! HOPE SWORD SLASH!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Hope does the same and attacks Venus with his sword!
* @[Mamoru] ... wha-- he's suddenly in a different spot in the Sanctuary, grabbing a card. You think for a moment he might've zipped over to there-- but he actually jumped up! "Activate, Action Magic! Pain Payment! I draw a card, plus any additional cards for 500 damage I take in battle!" Venus gets slashed through, as Akira yells out. (5200 LP) Before drawing twice.
<@YumaTsukumo> E-eh?!
<@YumaTsukumo> ...turn end!
* @YumaTsukumo 'What's up with this guy?!'
<Akira> Draw!
<Akira> I activate Pre-Preparation of Rites! I add two cards to my hand: Herald of Perfection, and Dawn of the Herald! *he adds the two cards, as he jumps to another spot, helped along by Herald of Ultimateness.* I activate the Continuous Spell, Solidarity, and switch Herald of Ultimateness to attack position! (2000 > 2800 ATK)
<Akira> Set one card. Attack Maestroke!
* @[Mamoru] Herald of Ultimateness tries to grab Maestroke to crush them.
<@YumaTsukumo> I detach Maestrokes last overlay unit in order to negate it's destruction!
<Akira> But you still take the damage!
* @[Mamoru] Herald grabs, and squeezes, sending a shock through to you, Yuma. Before dropping Maestroke.
* @YumaTsukumo braces himself as he takes the damage from the attack, yelling a little as he does (3600 LP)
* @[Mamoru] it felt. bad. real. what? how could... ... but then you hear a more familiar voice. "... kumo-- Tsukumo! Can you hear me?" ... That's Mamoru's voice! He's popped up on your Duel Disk's read out, looking panicky.
* @YumaTsukumo looks down at his disk. "H-hey! What's going on?!"
<@[Mamoru]> I'd hope you could tell me that. I can't see anything down there.
<@YumaTsukumo> Something weird's going on! My opponent is kinda glitching out and it feels... super weird... that last attack felt way too real it... this...
<@YumaTsukumo> ... this isn't a part of the programe, is it.
<@[Mamoru]> It's not. I've been trying to shut it down, but it's not responding.
<@YumaTsukumo> It isn't?!
<@YumaTsukumo> So it's kinda... acting on it's own or something??
<@[Mamoru]> That's correct. *he holds his head* This shouldn't have happened with this... Tsukumo, I'll need you to try to bear through this. I'm going to keep trying to shut it down, even if it means disconnecting the power.
* @YumaTsukumo nods
<@YumaTsukumo> Right!
<@YumaTsukumo> I just gotta keep dueling him for now!
<Akira> I finish my turn.
<@YumaTsukumo> My turn! DRAW!!
* @[Mamoru] Mamoru's feed blips out for now to let you do the turn.
<@YumaTsukumo> I normal summon Gagaga Sister, then activate it's effect to move Gagagarevenge from my deck to my hand!
<@YumaTsukumo> Then I flip summon my set Gagaga Magician! (1500 ATK)
<@YumaTsukumo> I target Gagaga Magician with Gagaga Sister's effect! They both become their combined levels! So they both become level 6!
<@YumaTsukumo> Level 6 Gagaga Magician and Gagaga Sister! OVERLAY
* @YumaTsukumo 's monster shoot into the overlay vortex
<@YumaTsukumo> I use these two monsters to build the overlay network!
<@YumaTsukumo> XYZ SUMMON!!
<@YumaTsukumo> Appear! Rank 6! Gauntlet Launcher!!
<Akira> Effect activate! Herald of Ultimateness! I discard Herald of Green Light... to negate your Gauntlet Launcher's summon!
<@YumaTsukumo> W-what?!
* @[Mamoru] rays of light come down at Herald of Ultimateness' behest, striking Gauntlet Launcher as it appears
* @YumaTsukumo 's Gauntlet Launcher barely gets to live before it's summon is negated!
* @YumaTsukumo looks on in disbelief
* @YumaTsukumo bites his lip for a moment.
<@YumaTsukumo> I switch Maestroke to defense and set a card.
<@YumaTsukumo> Turn end!
<Akira> Draw.
<Akira> Activate the Ritual Spell, Dawn of the Herald!
<Akira> I tribute Herald of Perfection from my hand. Ritual Summon! *a new circle appears, as a smaller robotic angel appears, though still rather sizable. Rays of light appearing from multiple holes all around it's body.* Herald of Perfection! (1800 > 2600 ATK)
<Akira> I banish Dawn of the Herald to add Herald of Perfection back to my hand. *grabbing it fron the Graveyard, his hand glitching as he does so.* Attack your Maestroke with Herald of Perfection!
* @[Mamoru] Herald of Perfection swoops in, grabbing Maestroke, before giving off an impressive light display that pierces through the poor Djinn
* @YumaTsukumo 's Maestroke is destroyed!
<Akira> Herald of Ultimateness! Attack Hope! *Herald of Ultimateness leans down, trying to grab Hope.*
<@YumaTsukumo> I detach Hope's remaining overlay unit to negate the attack!!
<Akira> Herald of Ultimateness' effect! I discard Herald of Purple Light. Negate Hope's effect, and then destroy it!
* @[Mamoru] Herald of Ultimateness brings down the rays of light upon Hope
<@YumaTsukumo> What?! HOPE!!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Hope is destroyed as well as Yuma looks on, distraught.
<Akira> Replay! Herald of Ultimateness attacks directly! *oh god, Yuma, the Herald's bringing down it's hand onto you to smash.*
* @YumaTsukumo can only try and move out of the way and brace himself, but that does little to avoid the attack, as it hits and sends Yuma flying across the field at great force! (800 LP)
<Akira> I finish my turn.
* @YumaTsukumo struggles back to his feet. He's unsteady, but he's able to stand.
<@YumaTsukumo> M-my turn! DRAW!
* @[Mamoru] it's your turn.
<@YumaTsukumo> I play Monster Reborn! I use this to bring back Hope from the graveyard!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Hope is revived (2500 ATK)
<@YumaTsukumo> Then, with Hope, I rebuild the overlay network!!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Hope turns into light and shoots into the Overlay vortex
<@YumaTsukumo> Chaos XYZ Change!
<Akira> Herald of Ultimateness! Effect activate! I discard Herald of Perfection to negate this summon!
<@YumaTsukumo> Tch..!
* @[Mamoru] Herald of Ultimateness is about to bring down the light...! ... but thankfully, you were sent across the field so much, there's actually an Action Card nearby!
* @YumaTsukumo runs towards it and scoops it up! He looks at it and grins!
<@YumaTsukumo> I activate Action Magic - Star Veil!
<@YumaTsukumo> This negates the effect one one monster on your field, so I negate Herald of Ultimateness' effect!!
<Akira> What--? *Herald of Ultimateness seems to freeze, as the glitching gets a little worse around your opponent*
<@YumaTsukumo> Now, show yourself! Chaos Numbers 39 - Aspiring Emporer Hope Ray!
* @YumaTsukumo A darker version of Hope appears onto the field (2500 ATK)
<@YumaTsukumo> I detach Hope ra's overlay Unit to activate it's effect!!
<@YumaTsukumo> *Ray's
<Akira> Chaos Number... Activate! Breakthrough Skill! I negate your Chaos Number's effect! *the card flips up*
<@YumaTsukumo> Trap card open! XYZ Reflect!! I negate the activation of Breakthrough Skill, destroy it and inflict 800 damage to you!
* @[Mamoru] the effect of Breakthrough Skill bounces off of a barrier, heading straight for Akira-- who takes the full brunt of it. (4400 LP)
<@YumaTsukumo> Hope Ray's effect continues! It gains 500 ATK and Ultimateness looses 1000 ATK!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Hope Ray's attack rises! (2500 ATK ---> 3000 ATK)
* @[Mamoru] Ultimateness meanwhile goes down to 1800
<@YumaTsukumo> Hope Ray! Attack Ultimateness! HOPE SWORD CHAOS SLASH!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Hope Ray moves towards Ultimateness, sword held high!
* @[Mamoru] you think for a moment that you've finally got this! ... before Akira just about speeds towards a card out of nowhere-- how could he have found that so immediately?! He grabs it, activating it. "Miracle!"
<@YumaTsukumo> What?!
<Akira> Herald of Ultimateness is not destroyed, and I take half the damage! *Ultimateness takes Hope Ray's sword attack, the shockwave hitting Akira instead. (3800 LP)*
<@YumaTsukumo> Tch...
<@YumaTsukumo> Turn end!
* @[Mamoru] Ultimateness goes back to 2800 ATK
* @YumaTsukumo 's Hope Ray goes back to 2500 ATK
<Akira> Surprising effort. I'll allow you a moment to consider surrender, but our turn is taken.
<@YumaTsukumo> There's no way I'm gonna surrender!
<Akira> ... Fine, then. Know that you only serve to get in our way. I dr--
* @[Mamoru] both of the disks beep out. [DUELIST INVASION]
<Akira> ... What?
<@YumaTsukumo> Huh??
* @[Mamoru] he says that so flatly that you almost forget he's supposed to be a hologram.
* @[Mamoru] you see a crack appear in nothing, getting bigger and bigger, before Mamoru finally manages to break through it, his disk activated. A Scarm near him vanishes, it's work done in opening the way for him. He looks... less than pleased to be doing this.
<@YumaTsukumo> Mamoru!!
<@[Mamoru]> Tsukumo. Are you alright?
* @[Mamoru] your opponent narrows his eyes, unamused by the extra obstacle that's appeared. And since he appeared before he could take his turn...
<@YumaTsukumo> Yeah, I'm doing okay. *He looks tired and a bit roughed up, but otherwise he seems okay*
<Akira> Shouldn't have taken the moment for niceties... *glitch. glitch.*
<@[Mamoru]> Long as you are. ... Disconnecting the power didn't work.
<@YumaTsukumo> So we're just gonna have to duel this out
<@[Mamoru]> Seems like it. Apologies, Tsukumo. But-- the least I could do is not stand by. *he straightens up, giving the AI duelist a bit of a conflicted look, before drawing his cards* My turn.
<Akira> *seems somewhat more irritated by this turn of events, which is. interesting, to say the least.* One obstacle, two obstacles, fine! I'll handle the both of you.
<@[Mamoru]> ... Let's balance this out, then. Activate, Mystical Space Typhoon. I destroy your Solidarity. *a typhoon roars through the heavenly surroundings, ripping through the card, as both of the Heralds on the field weaken. (1800 ATK) | (2000 ATK)*
<@[Mamoru]> Next, Allure of Darkness. *he draws two, and then banishes a card from his hand: Farfa, Malebrance of the Burning Abyss. ... he cricks his neck, looking at his cards. He's clearly not used to these, but. He'll make due.* Activate, The Terminus of the Burning Abyss!
<@[Mamoru]> I send Rubic, Graff, and Calcab from my hand to perform a Fusion Summon!
<@[Mamoru]> *a swirl of light appears behind him, as three demonic creatures appear and then vanish into it. He brings his hands together, almost like a prayer.* Come! Dante, Pilgrim of the Burning Abyss! (2800 ATK) *from the light comes a blue-haired man in ornate white and golden robes, carrying a staff-- a stark difference from the materials sent.*
<@[Mamoru]> Then, Graff's effect activates once sent to the Graveyard. I Special Summon Rubic, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss from my deck. (2100 DEF) *one of the demons that was used for the fusion appears, a blue flame in hand, though it's kneeling defensively* Battle. Dante, attack Ultimateness!
<Akira> *immediately seems to zip over to another card, grabbing it, before Dante can even truly move* Action Magic! Body Double! The attack is redirected to Herald of Perfection!
* @[Mamoru] ... as Dante switches targets, leaping up and slamming his staff into Herald of Perfection, causing a purifying light to emit from it. Herald of Perfection shatters. (Akira: 2800 LP)
<@[Mamoru]> ... this is a troublesome part...
<@YumaTsukumo> We just gotta keep going! If we work together I know we can defeat it!
<@[Mamoru]> ... We probably can, but there's one problem that I didn't think to expect. *he ends his turn*
<Akira> Draw.
<Akira> I switch Herald of Ultimateness to defense position. *Herald kneels down, bringing it's arms before itself to guard. (3000 DEF)* I finish there.
<@YumaTsukumo> My turn! Draw!
<@YumaTsukumo> I normal summon Goblindberg!
<@YumaTsukumo> Then I activate it's effect and special summon Gogogo Golem from my hand into defense!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Goblindberg then switches to defense as well.
<@YumaTsukumo> Using the level 4 Goblindberg and Gogogo Golem... I build the overlay network!!
* @YumaTsukumo 's two monsters shoot into the overlay vortex
<@YumaTsukumo> XYZ SUMMON!
<@YumaTsukumo> Appear now! Number 50: Blackship of Corn!
* @YumaTsukumo That.... sure if a ship made of black corn (2100 ATK)
<Akira> Not good enough. Herald of Ultimateness!
<@YumaTsukumo> Not if I can help it!!
* @YumaTsukumo runs off towards another Action card!
* @[Mamoru] ! Akira chases after Yuma-- and god is he fast. Faster than anyone should be-- until he almost crashes into Dante, who moved right in front of him, staff positioned to block.
<Akira> What the--?
* @YumaTsukumo uses that to dive for the Action Card, snatching it up!
<@YumaTsukumo> Action Magic - Star Veil! Ultimateness' effect is negated!
* @[Mamoru] Herald of Ultimateness freezes in it's movements.
<Akira> No!
* @YumaTsukumo grins
<@YumaTsukumo> I detach one overlay unit from Blackship of Corn!
<@YumaTsukumo> I target Untimateness and since it's attack is lower than Corn's it's sent to the graveyard and you're inclicted with 1000 damamge!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Cornship opens fire on Ultimateness, firing... corn from it's canons
* @[Mamoru] oh what a way for Herald of Ultimateness to go. The corn fires on Ultimateness, as Akira tries to zip towards a card-- but he's caught in the blast too, as Herald of Ultimateness is finally destroyed. (1800 LP)
<@[Mamoru]> *Mamoru sighs a bit, out of relief* Hopefully that'll have knocked out whatever has a hold on the AI system... It seemed to only start once he had summoned that monster, so...
<@YumaTsukumo> Let's hope so!
<@YumaTsukumo> Blackship of corn can't attack the turn it uses it's effect, but Hope Ray still can!
<@YumaTsukumo> Hope Ray! Direct attack! HOPE SWORD CHAOS SLASH!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Hope Ray attacks, raising it's sword high!
* Akira seems to stand still, as though frozen from Ultimateness' destruction. ... before glitching, and then zipping to a card, grabbing it. "Evasion!" He dodge-rolls past Hope Ray's attack.
<@[Mamoru]> *... makes a grimace* Looks like that was too hopeful.
<@YumaTsukumo> Tch
* @YumaTsukumo watches as Hope Ray's attack is dodged.
<@YumaTsukumo> Still... he's open now!
<@YumaTsukumo> Turn end!
<@[Mamoru]> Draw.
<Akira> *zipping over to another card immediately, up on a pillar* Action Magic! Shield Buster! I target the last monster sent to the Graveyard, and then target and destroy a monster on the field with DEF values equal to or less than that monster's DEF! The last monster sent was Herald of Ultimateness, so!
* @[Mamoru] Akira points at Dante, as a beam of light strikes down upon him, obliterating him.
<@[Mamoru]> Gmhn.
<@[Mamoru]> Dante's effect. I force my opponent to discard a card from their hand at time of destruction. *Akira annoyedly discards Venus - Agent of Creation from the hand.*
<@[Mamoru]> I control no Spells or Traps, so, from my hand, I special summon Graff, Malebranche of the Burning Abyss. (1500 DEF) *a fiery dog-headed demon appears, leathery wings spread*
<@[Mamoru]> Construct the Overlay Network. *the swirling network appears before him, as Graff and Rubic dissolve into it*
<@[Mamoru]> Become the eternal wanderer of the depths. Xyz Summon! Dante, Traveler of the Burning Abyss! (1000 ATK) *Dante reappears, though this time, he's in an adventurer's outfit* I detach a material--
<Akira> *he speeds over to another card, grabbing it* Action Magic! Star Veil! I negate your monster's effect!
* @[Mamoru] Dante freezes in mid-action. Mamoru is... less than amused.
<@YumaTsukumo> Ah! It negated Dante's effect!!
* @[Mamoru] ... going silent, closing his eyes and thinking. He doesn't have the card to send for Beatrice, and with Dante's effect negated, he'll only do 1000 damage, and won't go to defense afterwards...
* @[Mamoru] ... he does have a card he could use though, if he recalls the effect right. The system does have the data. It should technically work...
<@[Mamoru]> ... Tsukumo.
* @YumaTsukumo looks over at Mamoru.
<@YumaTsukumo> Yeah?
<@[Mamoru]> I'm about to do something very risky. I have no guarrentee it'll actually work. But if it does, I want you to focus on where the AI moves to. The AI can tell where the Action Cards are, since it's connected to the system... and if I manage this, it'll be best if we can get this duel done this turn. Do you understand?
* @YumaTsukumo gives him a nod. "Right!"
<@[Mamoru]> *he takes a deep breath, opening his eyes to stare at the AI duelist. ... before the Overlay Network reappears* Reconstruct the Overlay Network!
<@[Mamoru]> Since I control no spells or traps, I can use a Rank 3 monster I control-- in this case, Dante-- to Xyz Summon a new monster.
<@[Mamoru]> *he takes a moment to collect his thoughts, before raising his hand, as a 1 appears on it, followed by scrambled symbols* Harbinger of death, guide the souls to the abyss! Xyz Summon! Number 1XX: White Rider of Heavens! (2500 ATK) *Dante seems to break apart into the Overlay Network, before reforming-- and boy, it's obvious it's a struggle for the system, almost crackling from the force of it*
<@YumaTsukumo> A Number?!
* @YumaTsukumo looks at it for a moment, but right now he needs to concentrate on the AI and it's movements
* @[Mamoru] until a skeletal horse appears, a shadowed figure in a white cloak appearing on it, holding a large scythe. parts of it seem... incomplete, but it seems very much there and accounted for. Mamoru's just looking thankful that even worked.
<@[Mamoru]> *he holds his hand to his chest though, as he feels a bit of pain from it, but-- no matter. priorities.* White Rider of the Heavens gains 300 ATK and DEF for each material attached to it. *the skeletal horse rears back, as White Rider readies their scythe. (2500 > 3100 ATK)* Battle! White Rider attacks directly!
* @[Mamoru] Akira, understandably, immediately tries to zip towards a card, even as White Rider charges
<@YumaTsukumo> CORN!
* @YumaTsukumo 's Blackship of Corn seems to sail into the AI's way, as Yuma quickly jumps onto Hope Ray's shoulder. If the AI tries to dodge the ship, Hope Ray quickly blocks them again!
* @[Mamoru] yeah, Akira immediately tries to turn around and head for another card.
* @YumaTsukumo and Hope ray do their best to try and keep blocking him!
* @[Mamoru] Akira tries to get past, but most of the routes have been cut off. He faces to go another way-- before realizing he's face to face with the oncoming Rider. The Rider's scythe glows a deep and eerie purple shade, before slicing through the AI. All you see is the LP counter going down to [0000], before something... sparks and cracks.
* @YumaTsukumo ...!
* @[Mamoru] as the surroundings shatter, revealing the test room. ... and the poor AI machine has a gash in it. It isn't destroyed, but you suddenly do not envy Mamoru's job at all.
* @YumaTsukumo ooouch
* @[Mamoru] especially as the monsters-- including White Rider-- vanish, and Mamoru blinks. and looks at the AI machine. ... the headache he just gained far outweighs the minor chest pain he had.
* @YumaTsukumo breathes a sigh of relief though, before looking over at Mamoru. "Hey, you okay??"
<@[Mamoru]> ... I'll probably live. *he sighs, maybe at least the card will have survived. He picks up a card from his disk, looking at it-- and you see an image on it for a moment... before it goes entirely blank.* ... Damnit.
<@YumaTsukumo> What... was that card? It seemed like it was a Number but...
* @YumaTsukumo looks puzzled on whether it really was a Number or not.
<@[Mamoru]> ... I'm not really sure. It was... *... he takes a deep breath* Tsukumo. I was in a very strange incident well over a year ago, now. After that incident, my entire deck was altered to the Burning Abyss monsters you just saw. Including this blank card. This "Number". ... That was the first time I have used any of these cards.
<@YumaTsukumo> A strange incident?
<@[Mamoru]> ... I was possessed by something, after touching a large, mechanical scythe that had been salvaged from the Tokyo Bay. It may have been an Artifact monster. *he stumbles over to the AI machine, checking the damage. This is fixable, but it's going to have to take a chunk of the budget to explain...*
* @YumaTsukumo 'One of the Barians...' Yuma decides not to press any further on that, but instead he looks at the damage to the system.
<@YumaTsukumo> So er... if you fix that, what's the chance it'd go haywire again like it did?
<@[Mamoru]> ... It's something I'll have to test, myself. I was hoping that by going ahead with my ultimate goal for the system-- the human AI you dueled against-- I'd avoid the problems I've been having recently. But it looks like I can't avoid it.
* @[Mamoru] he mutters to himself, something about limiters and something rather unkind about the prospect of them, but he can't really ignore it now, huh. He turns to Yuma, bowing his head. "I apologize, deeply. I didn't intend for any test subjects to have to deal with things on this level."
<@YumaTsukumo> A-ah well, it all turned out okay in the end, right! Don't worry about it!
* @YumaTsukumo is so forgiving
<@[Mamoru]> ... You're kind, Tsukumo. Probably a little too kind. I can only hope I'll have as much kindness from Mr. Akaba, when I explain this.
<@YumaTsukumo> Ah, yeah, good luck with that! He seems kinda intimidating... for a guy in a scarf.
<@[Mamoru]> ... Still, back to other things than my impending problems. You don't need to write down a report for this, given the circumstances. As for your compensation...
<@[Mamoru]> *he looks over at the gash in the machine. ... and takes out an envelope from his coat, handing it over to Yuma.* Paying you doesn't seem like enough to make up for this, to be honest. But it's all I can do, right now.
* @YumaTsukumo takes the enverlope. "Like I said, don't worry about it!"
<@YumaTsukumo> I er... hope you can fix the machine!
<@[Mamoru]> ... I should be able to. Hopefully. I'll need to make a few calls.
<@YumaTsukumo> Alright. I guess I should leave you to it!
<@[Mamoru]> ... Thank you. ... ... And sorry, again, Tsukumo.
<@YumaTsukumo> No worries!
* @YumaTsukumo gives his a friendly smile and a wave, before leaving.