Chapter 51 - ||

Level 11

Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Rider

Machine/Synchro/Effect

ATK - 0/DEF - 2000

With that done, my Synchro lost all momentum, coming to a halt as both bike and energy dragon paused. There was a temporary stalemate now, Infinity waiting for the chance to blast my bike into oblivion, while said bike and his Stand were just still. Anyway I knew better, and didn't want to let that happen. "I end my turn."

Level 11

Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Rider

Machine/Synchro/Effect

ATK - 3500/DEF - 2000

The turn changed, and drew. "Draw." My girlfriend hummed, turning to her dragon. "Infinity, attach Rider to yourself."

Infinity roared, flaring its wings. "CONTAINMENT PROTOCOL; INITIATED."

Crimson lightning shot out towards Rider, but I wasn't about to let it get taken. "I activate Rider's effect! During your Main Phase, I can send him to the grave," Bike and Stand glowed green and turned into emerald/golden light, zooming towards the grave as my Extra Deck opened up. "And bring out t...-"

"OBJECTION!" I paused, my Extra Deck locking as my head whipped towards my girlfriend. Hearing her throw my own interjection back at me, and taking in the massive Smug smirk on her face, I knew she was having some Fun with this. "I'll detach Infinity's last Overlay Unit and negate that effect."

"CONTAINMENT PROTOCOL; ABORTED. INITIATING ERADICATION PROCEDURES."

The last Overlay Unit shot away, Infinity wreathed itself in crimson lightning, took aim, and shot all of its lightning off like a laser towards the retreating orbs of my Synchro... Which coincidentally put me in the strike zone. (Alright you fuck, let's get it. Anubis.) My armor snapped onto my form, my HUD showing that the incoming blast could actually damage me if I wasn't prepared. (Shield Mode.) My Shields flared to life, and I dug my feet into the ground as I raised my arms in front of me. In moments, the lightning washed over me, my shields taking the damage as my shields went from 100% to 71%... Which was actually a whole fucking lot of damage. Off of the top of my head that was like getting a full force slam from Humungousaur.

Setting the power behind that aside, I swatted the air in front of me, getting ride of the dust in front of me and turning to stare at Infinity, who met my gaze. "TARGET INTACT."

Rank 6

Cyber Dragon Infinity

Machine/XYZ/Effect

Material(s) - 0

ATK - 2100/DEF - 1600

My eye twitched. "Fuck you too." It didn't react to that, making me huff. Deactivating my Suit, I looked at Taylor, who just had a Satisfied smile on her face. "Ah, just go for it."

"Don't mind if I do then. Battle." The Battle Phase started, and Infinity started generating lightning again. "Infinity, attack him directly!"

The mechanized dragon flapped its wings, taking to the air as its wing blades spread out. "TARGET LOCKED. BEGINNING DESTRUCTION."

Narrowing my eyes at Infinity, I watched as it readied its wing blades, then jolted when they detached. (Oh shit.) Tensing my legs, I waited for them to get close, then reacted when they were in range. Jumping onto the first one, I channeled my inner Spider Monkey and treated the incoming projectiles like an obstacle course.

Wouldn't be the first time we did a scenario like this.

It was on the last wing blade that I heard the thrum of a beam weapon charging up. My eyes snapped to Infinity, widening when I saw the open maw aiming at me. (Alright, no.) Kicking off of the wing blade, and channeling all of the bleed over from my physical aliens, I shot up towards the ceiling, the crimson glow of his lightning missing me as I soared. (Anubis.) My Suit returned, and I shot my grapple up into the ceiling. I locked onto Infinity now that I was fine, and watched as the dragon kept flapping its wings, wing blades returning as it glared back.

When noting happened, I detached my grapple, falling back to the ground bellow, and back onto my field. (We definitely need to set up a 'Safe mode', cause normies going against anything like this guy are going to literally die.) If people died, without it being blood sport like those underground duels, then no one sane would play Yu-Gi-Oh, and I couldn't have that.

Still, that seemed to do it, since Infinity just landed back onto the field, its gaze on me the whole time. |You okay?| I just hummed at Taylor, which was enough for her. "I end my turn."

Phoenix - 13900 LP

With it being my turn now, I put my Suit back into Standby Mode, and put my fingers atop my deck. It was up to me to figure out some way to turn this around. "Draw." Looking at it, I grinned. "I activate Pot of Avarice." A big... Thing, appeared on my side of the field, sniffing like a pig searching for truffles. "By shuffling 5 monsters from my grave into the deck, I can draw 2." This would hopefully give me something useful.

Shuffling Rider, both Windwitches, Wynn, and Red-Eyed Dice back into my deck, the monsters shown when the jar let out its long tongue and stuck it into the ground, fishing my cards out and sending them towards me, I drew 2... And laughed.

"I special summon Speedroid Terrortop." A hole opened up besides me, and the little top shot out of it like a kid on crack, spinning around me before coming to a 'Stop' in a zone in front of me.

Level 3

Speedroid Terrortop

Machine/Effect

ATK - 1200/DEF - 600

Before I could go on, my girlfriend's voice sounded out. "Since I already know what's coming, let me just." Blinking, I looked over to my girlfriend, then twitched again when she activated a familiar monster. "I activate Maxx "C." Every special summon is a free draw, sooo don't disappoint me. Or do, wouldn't be the first time." The 'Oous' coming from the VIP area made me tempted to sick my daughter on those traitors.

Still, I wasn't just going to take that. "This coming from the woman that begged me to breed her like a slut a few days ago?"

My girlfriend just raised a brow at me, Interested Amusement pulsing from her, with a backdrop of Aroused Embarrassment. "And I'm still not pregnant. What a disappointment." Okay, she was just asking for it at this point. |Granted, I don't exactly want to have a kid yet, I'm just finding shit talking you fun.| I rolled my eyes at the woman, mixed signals, what a Surprise. |I don't think I'd like whatever you just thought.| I did the 'Innocent whistle', turning away from her.

"Now, when Terrortop is summoned, I can add a Speedroid from my deck to my hand." A grid opened in front of me, and in no time I yoinked Taketomborg. "Because I have a Wind monster on my field I can special summon Speedroid Taketomborg." Out of another hole dropped the small bot, landing besides Terrortop. A free draw for her, but that was acceptable.

Level 3

Speedroid Taketomborg

Machine/Effect

ATK - 600/DEF - 1200

"Now, I'll activate my Spell, Summon Storm! By paying 800 Life Points I can special summon a level 6 or lower Wind monster from my hand." Slapping the big boy himself onto my disk, I watched as a gale erupted in a zone in front of me.

Phoenix - 13100 LP

"CRAAAAAAW!" Said gale dissipated when crimson red wings flexed into existence, a figure in white armor touching down onto the ground in front of me. Standing at what I guessed was 8ft tall, covered in white armor, Alector brazenly brandished his wings, which were atleast 1.5xs long as he was, glaring at Taylor's Infinity.

Level 6

Alector, Sovereign of Birds

Winged Beats/Effect

ATK - 2400/DEF - 2000

Yeah, he was awesome. I didn't even mind that Taylor got another draw, or the fact she was feeling Confidant. I'd handle whatever she threw at me. "Now, I'll activate Taketomborg's ability. By tributing himself, I can special summon a Speedroid Tuner from my deck." The little guy blitzed around the field, a grid opening in front of me as he did. Finding who I wanted, I grabbed him, setting him up on my disk. In a flash, Taketomborg disappeared, the sound of one of a pipe going off as my choice appeared on my side of the field.

Level 4

Speedroid Fuki-Modoshi Piper

Machine/Tuner/Effect

ATK - 1000/DEF - 1000

Another draw, and I was starting to recognize that she was close to a full starting hand. (... Eh, fuck it, I gotta go for it.) That thought, I tapped my Tuner's card, activating his effect, which caused him to start playing his pipe. "Whenever Piper is summoned, I can check an equal amount of cards from the top of my deck to the amount of other Wind monsters on my field." The 1st card appeared... And I hummed when I saw it was Double Yoyo. Then the 2nd card appeared, and I was torn. (Yoyo or another Ice Bell.)

I grabbed Ice Bell, just in case my girlfriend managed to turn things around and I needed to go for another Synchro. That done, I tapped the gem of my Disk, bringing up my Extra Deck. I had options, but I knew who I was bringing out. Tapping his card, I watched as Piper and Terrortop glowed. "Go, Piper, Terrortop!" Both Speedroid monsters shot forwards, Terrortop spinning fast enough to make sparks fly from the ground, while Piper followed after him, playing his flute as he did. In moments the two were dissolving into their level stars, and I gave my monster a welcome. "Clear the path, Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

"GRAOOOOOOOO!" Appearing in a crack of space by my side was the faithful companion to the Synchro Dimension Yu Boy. Now though he was MY dragon, being one of my favorite monsters in general. His light blue wings flared, his black and white tail thrashed around in the air behind him, while his claws and maw tensed in preparation, while overall looking like a badass.

Level 7

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon

Dragon/Synchro/Effect

ATK - 2500/DEF - 2000

"! Ok, can I have THAT?! !" I was pretty sure I heard a 'No' from one of my Aunts. Probably Tess. "! Oh come on! !" Yup.

Taylor drew another card, but I knew she was focused on my field. She had no negates, her only defense being Infinity, and I had a pair of monsters that were stronger then it. So, the answer was obvious. "Battle." With the start of the Battle Phase, Alector took to the sky, emerald wind whipping around him, while Clear Wing roared, his wings emitting emerald sparks as he got ready to charge. "Alector, bring it down!"

"SKRAAAAA!" With that screech my bird man fired his feathers in a volley at Infinity, who charged and fired a blast of lightning at the feathers.

Too bad for him that Alector was stronger, so his feathers cut through the stream of lightning and tore into his frame. "SySTe...mS, Fa...ILin...g. SHUtd...oWn... ImM...I...nEN...t..." And just like before, the behemoth of a dragon burst into golden particles, and went to the grave.

Taylor - 10,700 LP

With Infinity gone, it was time to go for the jugular. "Clear Wing, attack Taylor directly!"

That was all my dragon needed. "GRAAAAAAA!" Charging ahead, and leaving a trail behind him like this was Tron, my dragon reached my girlfriend, who had activated her Suit in preparation. I watched Clear Wing spin, his tail cutting through the air as he tried to slam it into my girlfriend. Unfortunately for my dragon, she was too agile for that, vaulting over the tail and rolling away from the hand that slammed down at the spot she was at prior to rolling. Clear Wing's last shot was a breath that Taylor saw coming, so she shot her grapple onto one of my dragons arms, avoiding the breath by landing on Clear Wing, and kicking off of his body when the breath ran its course.

My dragon apparently didn't like the fact all of his attacks missed, huffing as he gave my girlfriend a glare before returning to my side of the field. I felt my lips twitch though when Alector chortled something at the dragon, making Clear Wing growl at him in response, I snorted. (Alector's a little shit? Amazing.)

Taylor - 8200 LP

With everything I was able to do, done, I nodded. "I end my turn." The turn changed, and now Taylor drew... Making me notice she had a full starting hand, while I only had 2 monsters. (Hopefully she bricked.)

That hope died when she played her first card. "I activate Cyber Emergency." A ship appeared above us, streaking across the sky. "I choose to add Galaxy Soldier to my hand." A golden light shot down from the ship, stopping in front of her. Adding it to her hand, she then did something else. "I summon Cyber Dragon Core." Just like other monsters, Core appeared from a hole in the ground, sliding out of it like a snake.

Level 2

Cyber Dragon Core

Machine/Effect

ATK - 400/DEF - 1500

"With Core being Normal Summoned, I can add a 'Cyber' Spell/Trap from my deck to my hand." The grid appeared, and instantly disappeared as Taylor made her choice. "I activate Cyber Repair Plant." Ah, made sense. Watching the repair plant from earlier reappear, "I'll be using both effects again," And whir to life as Taylor grabbed... Oh goddammit. "I'll add Nachster to my hand, and shuffle a Cyber Dragon back into my deck." The repair plant spat out a Nachster, and a Cyber Dragon returned to her deck."That done I'll activate Galaxy Soldier's effect, sending Cyber Dragon Hertz to the grave." Of course she had a Hertz in hand, why not? The column of light caught my eye, and I watched as a Galaxy Soldier appeared, kneeling with his arms crossed in front of him as he gazed at my field.

Level 5

Galaxy Soldier

Warrior/Effect

ATK - 2000/DEF - 0

"Because I summoned Galaxy Soldier, I can activate his effect, searching and adding another one to my hand." I knew that wasn't how it worked, but considering I only ran 2 of them in that deck, it made sense to say it like that. "But before I do that, I'll activate Hertz's effect. Since I sent it to the grave, I can add a Cyber Dragon to my hand." The faint sound of whirring reached my ears, and I noticed the outline of Hertz appearing behind her. Said outline let out a little screech before a silver card appeared in front of her. Accepting the Cyber Dragon, she made her next move. "I'll use my other Galaxy Soldier's ability, sending Cyber Dragon to the grave." Another column of light later, and another Galaxy Soldier was on the field.

Level 5

Galaxy Soldier

Warrior/Effect

ATK - 2000/DEF - 0

That done, she tapped the gem, a galaxy unfolding beneath us again. "Opening the Overlay Network, I'll overlay both of my Galaxy Soldiers." Said monsters started glowing gold, shouts of 'ORA' going out as they shot towards the Overlay Network. "I XYZ summon Cyber Dragon Nova!" And like before, a loud ass screech sounded out as the aforementioned XYZ monster appeared on the field, looking just as menacing as earlier. Though unlike earlier, Nova screeched at my Clear Wing, my own dragon roaring at it in response.

Rank 5

Cyber Dragon Nova

Machine/XYZ/Effect

Material(s) - 2

ATK - 2100/DEF - 1600

"Activating his effect, I'll remove an Overlay Unit so I can Special Summon a Cyber Dragon from my graveyard." Nova roared, one of its Units detaching and shooting towards her. And once again, a Cyber Dragon was summoned onto the field. Just like its XYZ version, the Cyber Dragon roared at Clear Wing. There was something up with the dragons, but now wasn't the time to think about it.

Level 5

Cyber Dragon

Machine/Effect

ATK - 2100/DEF - 1600

History continued to repeat itself when the Overlay Network reappeared. "You already know what I'm going to do, so I'm going to skip the whole announcing thing and just bring out another Infinity."

"Oh come on! It's tradition!" The dry look she was giving me told me everything. "Please?" Alector turned and chortled something at me, sounding Amused. "Oh fuck off." Another chortle, and he turned away, humming a tune as he did.

Taylor rolled her eyes, casually tapping the orb of her Duel Disk, the Overlay Network reappearing as Nova glowed gold. "Anyway, I Overlay Nova to XYZ Summon Infinity." That was probably the best I was going to get.

So I decided to just settle on watching Infinity rise from the Overlay Network, its figure looking just as imposing as it was earlier. "ALL SYSTEMS, ACTIVE. INFINITY PROTOCOL; RE-ENGAGED."

Rank 6

Cyber Dragon Infinity

Machine/XYZ/Effect

Material(s) - 2

ATK - 2500/DEF - 1600

"I'll set two cards," A pair of face downs materialized besides her. "Then use Infinity's ability to attach Alector." I frowned at that. I could negate it with Clear Wing, but then she would negate my negate with Infinity, destroying my dragon. But if I didn't, I'd still have Clear Wing here to eat Infinity's attack when she started the Battle Phase.

(Fuck. I have to let that happen.) Neither option was good, but they were all I had.

So as Infinity charged up, I turned to Alector, who looked back at me."Make him fight for it." Alector let out an ear piercing caw, taking to the sky.

"CONTAINMENT PROTOCOL; INITIATED." Lightning shot out from the XYZ dragon, but my bird man showed why he was a 'Sovereign' by intercepting the lightning with a veritable storm of feathers, diving forwards as he propelled himself with a gale of green wind. The streams of lightning not intercepted by his feathers shot towards him, but the sky was his, and he outmaneuvered them easily.

It was when he reached Infinity that his fate was sealed. He was close, clawed hand outstretched to pierce the monster's skull when it happened. The XYZ dragon's tail shot out, coiling around his arm and stalling his momentum. Alector screeched, his free hand coming to try and tear his other arm free, only to fail when Infinity crackled with crimson lightning. "SKRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" I winced at the volume of that, my hearing taking another hit.

Though that was the last sound Alector made before he was turned into a golden mote of light, assimilated by Infinity. "CONTAINMENT, SUCCESS."

Rank 6

Cyber Dragon Infinity

Machine/XYZ/Effect

Material(s) - 3

ATK - 2700/DEF - 1600

That done, she nodded. "Battle." Said phase started, and all of our monsters geared up for a fight. Though, I was kind of Confused about this. I knew there was another Sieger in her Extra Deck, but she hadn't gone for it, which was what I would've done.

Before I could wonder why, she started it off. "Infinity, destroy Clear Wing."

The XYZ dragon lit up in a show of crimson lightning, while I scowled. "Make em earn it Clear Wing!"

""GRAOOOO!/TARGET SIGHTED. BEGINNING DESTRUCTION."" My dragon charged at Infinity, sparking with emerald lightning while his opponent took to the sky. Clear Wing shot after it, claws spread and ready to tear into Infinity's frame, all the while the XYZ dragon charged up and opened its maw. Like before, a stream of crimson lightning shot towards my Synchro Dragon, but he avoided it and reached Infinity before it could readjust. I watched wide eyed as his claws clamped down onto the dragon's frame, at the base of where its wings were, and his jaws latched onto Infinity's head, biting and clawing at the monster.

He was doing his best to tear it apart, doing actual damage to the monster, but Infinity wasn't going to take it lying down. The dragon's tail lashed out, spearing my Synchro through the chest. But apparently Clear Wing was a mad lad, because instead of letting that stop him, he roared in Infinity's face, his body glowing emerald green as he prepared to suicide bomb him. Surprise spiked from both me and my Other Half, the both of us knowing what was about to happen. (Oh shit. Anubis!)

My Suit snapped onto my frame, Taylor mirroring my action as we activated our Shields. "! HIT THE DECK! !" That was when Clear Wing exploded. The explosion itself wasn't a threat, we were not only fully Shielded, but also still in the Danger Room, while the seating area was shielded so Amy and Scylla were safe. So while an explosion in of itself was a bad thing, this one wasn't.

My Shields held, only dipping a percentage or 2, while the smoke it had caused was more of an issue. Thankfully for me, Infinity cleared the area with a flap of its wings, letting me get a good look at the field. "! Daaamn. !"

The first, and obvious thing that I noticed was the burned and scratched form of Infinity up in the air. Its frame was blackened, most likely from the explosion, and littered with gouges from where Clear Wing tried to tear into it. There was even some exposed wiring around its neck, specifically the area where his jaws had been around. And I was pretty sure, though it could be a trick or something, that one of Infinity's eyes was offline. ('Make em work for it' indeed.) My dragon might've died, but he went down swinging.

"TARGET. ELIMINATED." I Hated how cool that was.

Phoenix - 12900 LP

|... That... Damn.| I snorted at that, which just made my girlfriend mentally roll her eyes at me. "Cyber Dragon, get him." My eyes snapped to the mechanized dragon, watching it charge up for a breath. I waited for when it unleashed it, then dove right, rolling like I was in a Souls game. Thankfully that was enough, and I didn't need to do an impromptu routine to avoid dragon fire.

Phoenix - 10800 LP

As soon as I got back up, she used the last monster she had. "Core, get him." The little snake thing glowed a bit, then shot towards me. I watched it come, and when it got in range, I sun on my heel, slamming my leg into Core's body. The monster went flying, eventually smashing into the arena wall and sliding onto the ground. Surprisingly the monster didn't break apart, instead shakily getting back up and sliding back over to Taylor's side of the field, both dragons staring at it as it did. "Well... That happened." I snorted. "Anyway, I end my turn."

Phoenix - 10400 LP

The change happened, and I drew. Looking at the card I got brought a smile to my face. (I can use this.) I had to wait though, but that would be fine. Putting the Spell away for now, I grabbed Ice Bell and slapped her onto my Duel Disk. "I Special Summon Ice Bell." The witch appeared the same way she did before, nothing new there.

Level 3

Windwitch Ice Bell

Spellcaster/Effect

ATK - 1000/DEF - 1000

"With Ice Bell being Special Summoned I can immediately Special Summon another Windwitch monster from my deck." Another grid opened, and I snatched a Glass Bell. "You already know who's coming out, it's another Glass Bell." Again, her entrance was the same as earlier.

Level 4

Windwitch Glass Bell

Spellcaster/Tuner/Effect

ATK - 1500/DEF - 1500

"With both of them being Summoned, I can activate their effects. I'll start with Glass Bell, who lets me search for and add a Windwitch monster to my hand. But before I go through with that, I can chain Snow Bell's ability, which'll burn you for 500." Here was the beauty in this. Because they were both Summoned together, their effects get proc'd with the same priority. So even though Infinity was literally right there, she couldn't interrupt Glass Bell, and would be forced to negate Ice Bell instead.

Which was exactly what she did. "I activate Infinity's effect!" She didn't need to say anything else, both of us knowing what that meant.

So I watched as one of Infinity's Overlay Units detached, and it charged up again. "TARGET SIGHTED. BEGINNING DESTRUCTION." Ice Bell let out a squawk of Fear as she started evasive maneuvers.

She didn't survive.

Shocker.

Rank 6

Cyber Dragon Infinity

Machine/XYZ/Effect

Material(s) - 2

ATK - 2500/DEF - 1600

"Anyway, I'm going to pick Snow Bell." I grabbed the Tuner, adding it to my hand. With it, I grinned beneath my mask, I was set to bring this back. Grabbing the last card from my original hand, I activated it. "From my hand I activate Speedlift." From behind me a motorcycle drove in, drifting across the field. "Since the only monster I have is a Tuner, I can Special Summon a level 4 or lower Speedroid monster, and you won't be able to do shit about it." The actual text was that she couldn't activate effects when it was Summoned, but same shit.

The grid opened up, and I chose my answer. Selecting who I wanted, I watched as the motorcycle glowed, speeding up as it was engulfed in green light, before it disappeared. That was when the monster I chose appeared in front of me, zipping around the area before snapping back and settling into a zone in front of me.

Level 3

Speedroid Taketomborg

Machine/Effect

ATK - 600/DEF - 1200

I had what I needed for a Synchro, and I knew I could probably add another monster to this and turn it into a Barrone, her facedowns made me keep it in hand. "You should know what's coming now." Tapping the gem of my Duel Disk, I opened the Extra Deck, and selected my target. My monsters started to glow, and with a cheer, my witch shot off, and whizzing Taketomborg following right after her into the Synchro rings. "Come on out, Clear Wing Fast Dragon!" A roar rang out, and from the corner of my eye I saw a flash of white, black, and green shoot around the field.

Tracking the blur, because that's what my monster was right now, I watched him practically do laps around the field before he stopped, suddenly right in front of me. (Well damn, that was fast.) Not XLR8 fast, but maybe around the speed of Taylor's Hybrid form. That aside, Fast Dragon was sleek, seemed far more metallic then Clear Wing, while his 'Wings' were constantly fluttering like a hummingbird. Aside from that he was essentially Clear Wing, just more polished.

Level 7

PEN SCALE - 4

Clear Wing Fast Dragon

Dragon/Synchro/Pendulum/Effect

ATK - 2500/DEF - 2000

While I was admiring my monster, Taylor decided to make her move, proving my Worry was well founded. "I active Cybernetic Overflow! By banishing 'Cyber Dragons' with different levels I can destroy cards on your field up to how many I banished." Watching as Taylor got rid of something, I internally hummed, not exactly bothered by this. Then the effect activated, and I saw a Cyber Dragon appear from the ground, its frame crackling with energy as its body appeared to be breaking down. "I'm targeting your Clear Wing Fast Dragon."

I nodded, and activated an Fast Dragon's ability. "Interjection!" She pulsed with Annoyance. "I activate Fast Dragon's effect! I can target a monster you Summoned from the Extra Deck, negating its effects, while also reducing its attack to 0." In front of me my dragon roared, his body pulsing with a green light that looked similar to Rider's Stand.

"It's still getting destroyed though.~" Cheeky brat.

I decided to copy her little singsong. just because. "Infinity's still going down to 0 attack though.~"

"... Fuck you." I just grinned. "Don't!" I kept grinning, not that she could see it since my mask was still on. |Man child.|

[You started it.] She mentally snorted at me for that. Banter aside, Fast Dragon shot forwards, leaving an after image as he suddenly shoulder tackled Infinity, the dragon being slammed into a wall as it tried to charge up some lightning. 'Tried' being the operative word there, since the moment it tried, Fast Dragon bit into Infinity's neck, directly at the spot with exposed wiring, getting the XYZ dragon to let out a screech of pain. [My dragon's better.]

Of course the universe chose that moment to spite me, the overloading Cyber Dragon latching onto Fast Dragon's back as it started to glow. Unfortunately for my dragon, he was unable to stop the impending explosion, letting out one last roar before being engulfed in the blast. When the dust cleared, my dragon was gone, the only thing left was Infinity, who looked rusted and like it was falling apart. |You're dragon's dead.|

Rank 6

Cyber Dragon Infinity

Machine/XYZ/Effect

Material(s) - 2

ATK - 0/DEF - 1600

[Fuck you.] Smug Satisfaction was her response to that. "I activate Fast Dragon's effect. Whenever he's destroyed I can set him in a pendulum zone." Doing just that, the image of my dragon appeared by my side, faint, but still there. "Anyway, I activate Speed Recover. Targeting a Speedroid in my grave, I can Special Summon it. I choose Terrortop." By my side a blue 'Car' appeared, its door opening as the aforementioned top shot out of it and zoomed towards my field.

Level 3

Speedroid Terrortop

Machine/Effect

ATK - 1200/DEF - 600

"Activating Terrotop's effect, I can add another Speedroid to my hand." I already knew who I wanted, so when the grid appeared, I grabbed it instantly. "I Summon Speedroid Double Yoyo!" A hole opened up besides me, and out of it shot a pair of yoyos, the monster controlling them appearing behind them.

Level 4

Speedroid Double Yoyo

Machine/Effect

ATK - 1400/DEF - 1400

"Because I've Normal Summoned Yoyo, I can use his effect, Special Summoning a level 3 or lower Speedroid in my grave." Another grid opened up, and like before, I knew what I wanted, so I grabbed it. "Come back, Taketomborg!" One of the yoyos slammed into the ground, a 'Crack' appearing, then shattering open when the other slammed into it. From that 'Crack' came my chosen monster.

Level 3

Speedroid Taketomborg

Machine/Effect

ATK - 600/DEF - 1200

With my field set, I went for the final piece I needed. "I activate Taketomborg's effect, tributing him to Special Summon a Speedroid Tuner from my deck." The grid appeared again, and I tapped onto Red-Eye. As soon as I did, Taketomborg went through his sequence of blitzing around the field, eventually transforming into the dice. Like earlier, I noticed that the monster was the size of my head, and looked sorta weird with that eye of his.

Level 1

Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice

Machine/Tuner/Effect

ATK - 100/DEF - 100

That aside, I kept going. "With Red-Eyed Dice being Summoned, I can activate its effect. Targeting Terrortop, I'll change its level from 3 to 5." That said, the dice turned its eye to Terrortop, its body glowing as the dice around it began to spin. In moments it was done, and my Terrortop was level 5. Everything was ready, so I went for it. Tapping the gem, and noticing that the 'Heart of the Cards' meter was almost full. (Bringing out Barrone will probably max it.) A quick glance at my girlfriend made me pause. (Hers is probably already full considering how many times she's brought out Infinity, and how long it's been there.)

Shaking that off, I opened the Extra Deck, selecting my knight. As soon as I did, all three of my monsters glowed, shooting forwards as I called it out. "Return to your lord! Barrone de Fleur!" Again, another storm of petals engulfed the field, and a loud neigh reached my ears.

Unlike before, the slam of her mounts hooves caused a small tremor to go through the 'Ground', the petals disappearing as Barrone and her mount suddenly appeared right in front of me, standing between me and my girlfriend's field like a shield. "Par la grâce de mon suzerain, je reviens une fois de plus!" A quick check to my Duel Disk showed that translation. 'By the grace of my liege, I return once more!' Again, very cool.

Level 10

Barrone de Fleur

Warrior/Synchro/Effect

ATK - 3000/DEF - 2400

"! SHE'S BACK! FUCK YEAH! !" Both me, my girlfriend, and Surprisingly my knight's horse, snorted at that.

I blinked though, turning to look at my knight. "Did he..?" Barrone looked at me over her shoulder, then down to her horse, before shrugging and turning back to Taylor's field. (Bout as good as Imma get.) Shaking it aside, I looked at my girlfriend, and smirked beneath my mask. "I activate Barrone's effect, targeting your face down." Annoyance surged from her, making me feel like this was a good idea.

Command given, my knight raised her shield lance, a flurry of petals appearing around it. "Craquez pour mon suzerain." Stabbing towards the face down, the petals raged towards it. I waited for something to happen, maybe for her to activate the face down, but nothing happened. The petals reached their target, and I watched as the face down flipped up to show me what it was...

Making me blink. [Cyberload Fusion?]

I didn't know why she had that set instead of k...- |In my ideal situation, you wouldn't have had anything on your field thanks to Overflow, and I would've been free to activate it at your End Phase. Your field would be empty, I would have a perfect Infinity, and a Cyber End Dragon on my field on my turn.|

I took a second to process the fact she would've been set to bring out a fucking CED on me, then nodded. [Well damn.] Because what else was I supposed to say? She'd had it set up and everything, I was just lucky that she assumed the card I kept in hand was shit, and not something that would allow me to build my field back up.

|Hmm.| She was annoyed, and I lived for it.

Anyway, with that gone, I moved on. "Battle." The Battle Phase started, and Barrone got ready to act. "Barrone, slay Infinity."

My knight gripped the reigns of her mount, said horse rearing back with a loud neigh as she raised her sword to the sky. "Oui, mon suzerain!" And so she shot off, a war cry coming from her as they charged, petals gathering around them in a storm.

Seeing it coming, Infinity flared its wings, wing blades falling off as it tried to take off. "T # 3T S1&*3)" If the fact he was falling apart didn't tell me he was fucked, that mess of garbled speech would've done it. Gone was the monster that kept fucking me up and not staying dead, all that was left was a husk of a dragon that was about to be slain by a knight.

Said knight got in range of the monster, but unlike before, they didn't slam into Infinity, instead she did something different. The petals that had been gathering around them all gathered around her sword, turning the damn thing into a massive blade made of petals. "Dix mille pétales, une barre oblique!" I didn't even check the translation, it coming immediately through my HUD. 'Ten thousand petals, one slash.' Watching Barrone strike out at Infinity, her blade cleaving the dragon in two as her mount kept running, was the most anime shit I'd seen since I got here.

"I^&.).(3%..E+.=\t..." Infinity exploded, and I was mentally readjusting Barrone's place in my 'Top 10 monsters list.' That thought, said knight returned to my side of the field, her mount trotting along before coming to a stop in front of me.

I looked at Barrone for a bit, just taking her in, then nodded. (Top 5, easy.) Anything else would be a disservice to the monster making my first duel as awesome as it was. Though now that she was done, I physically nodded, turning away from her. "I end my turn."

Taylor - 5200 LP

My girlfriend nodded at the turn change, putting her hand on top of the deck, but not drawing. It didn't take long for me to find out why when the gem on her Duel Disk started glowing rainbow colors. (Yup, 'Heart of the Cards' it is.)

It was a feature I'd put in to add some anime logic into the game. How it worked was Interesting really. Like Master Duel, we could designate 3 cards as 'Ace/Main Cards.' For me they were Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon, Barrone de Fleur, and Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Rider. For her they were probably Infinity, Sieger, and maybe Nova? I didn't know.

Anyway, whenever one of those cards were used, in the case of Spells or Traps, or Summoned in the case of Monsters, they would add to the 'Heart of the Cards' meter. The meter would keep building when an Ace Monster destroyed something, used its effect to do something, or for surviving for more then the turn it was summoned. It would take a few turns for the meter to fill, or it could be filled in one if someone went fucking crazy with a Synchron engine or anything else that would consistently shit out potential Ace Monsters.

There was also some charge gained for surviving in general, but not for doing damage to the opponent, because that would be busted, but that was it. My own meter was almost full at this point, Barrone was pulling her weight, and I'd lived for a while now, so I could use it next turn, probably.

As for what it did, well... It was called 'Heart of the Cards' for a reason. When it was used, the next draw was guaranteed to be able to help, no matter the situation, if there was a way out, the card we drew would help. Granted, we had to figure out how it would do that, and there was no 'This card not only suddenly exists, but it helps me get out of this exact situation.' No, it was just THE draw you would need to make a comeback. It was possible to fuck up though, like using it at the wrong time for instance.

Though, when Taylor pulsed with Satisfaction, then played said card, I knew she used it right, and that I was fucked. "I activate Dark Ruler No More." I splashed that, Feather Duster, Imperm, and Dark Hole, in pretty much all of my decks. Their usefulness was fucking worth going over 40 cards. "With it, your monster has its effects negated for the rest of the turn." From behind her, the figure from the card appeared, the fucker having a maniacal grin on its face as it pointed a finger at my knight. A ray of blue light smashed into her, and I watched as the color drained from her and her mount, turning them monochrome. I also thought I heard some muttering from my knight, but since I didn't speak french, and it was too low for the translations to pick up, I ignored it.

"With that done, I summon Nachster." I was really starting to Hate the little shit.

Level 1

Cyber Dragon Nachster

Machine/Effect

ATK - 200/DEF - 200

"We both know what I'm going to do, so let's just get right too it." I sighed, rolling my wrist at her. Seeing that, she hummed, and Nachster started glowing silver. Once again, the ground opened up, and out of the hole came Infinity...

Again. "ALL SYSTEMS, ACTIVE. INFINITY PROTOCOL; RE-ENGAGED."

I did take a second to pause though, there were chinks in its frame, missing wing blades here and there, as well as marks that looked old and worn... One of its eyes was also off, big thing right there. (Apparently damage persists. Cool.)

Rank 6

Cyber Dragon Infinity

Machine/XYZ/Effect

Material(s) - 0

ATK - 2100/DEF - 1600

I heard Barrone give off a Disdainful huff, one I felt on so many levels. "Taylor, I Love You." The sudden admission made her pause, Confused Affection coming from her. "But this goes beyond beating a dead horse. You've killed the horse, dug up its grave, and resurrected it with some fucking black magic voodoo bullshit to serve as your eternal companion till the day you die." I wasn't even Mad, I was just pointing it out.

"! I want you both to know I'm saving that. !" Well that was nice to know.

My girlfriend ignored that though, seeming to be more focused on how Amusing what I'd said was, letting out a snort. "I wonder why I'd want to keep reviving the 'Omni Negate' that can fuel itself. Must be a mystery." I rolled my eyes at that. "Anyway, Infinity, capture Barrone."

I sighed, cursing my past self for making that fucking deck. Sure, it made Master Duel easy at the start, it was the 2nd deck I'd made after the game came out, first being Monarchs, but that decision, as well as the one to keep it updated for whenever I felt like using it, was biting me in the ass now. "Barrone, charge."

My knight knew what was going to happen, and with a nod, shot forwards. "CONTAINMENT PROTOCOL; INITIATED." While Infinity did that, Barrone raised her shield lance, ready for the lightning.

It came as a Surprise when the lightning harmlessly splashed over her shield, and her mount just kept charging. It was when they entered Taylor's field that things took a turn for the worse. A stray, or possibly directed, fuck if I knew, blast of lightning caught her mount, the White Steed falling and sending Barrone flying. Though the knight rolled with it, literally, and resumed her charge without sparing a second glance to her horse, who had disappeared in motes of golden light, as she focused on Infinity. "je n'irai pas tranquillement!" With that roar, 'I will not go quietly!' Barrone jumped, a small crater forming as she launched herself at Infinity, blade first.

My jaw practically dropped when she not only reached the XYZ dragon, but stabbed it in its good eye with her sword. Even as Infinity screeched, her body being electrocuted and starting to glow, she just let out a loud laugh. "Je peux tomber, mais on se souviendra de moi!" 'I may fall, but I will be remembered.'

And then she was turned into an Overlay Unit, the golden orb unassumingly rotating around Infinity. "ADVERSARY... CONTAINED." I noticed how it said that. Not 'Target', but 'Adversary.' Fucker acknowledged my knight. As he should've in my opinion, because damn, Barrone went crazy.

Anyway, for a moment, that was all that was said... Then the roar of the crowd met our ears, joined by my Aunt. "! BARRONE FOREVER! !" I was 100% agreeing with that.

(Note to self, when we work out all the kinks, summon Barrone for patrol. Fucking badass knight needs to do more badass knight things.) No idea when I'd fulfill that, but eh, it'd happen soon-ish.

|I'm splashing... That's the right term, right?| I nodded at that. |Yeah, I'm splashing her in whatever decks I make. That's too good of a monster to pass up.| I completely agreed with that too. That said, she went on. "I'm just going to Link Summon another Sieger, then end my turn." Nachster and Core glowed, turning into red orbs for the great square in the sky, summoning the aforementioned monster.

Link 2

Cyber Dragon Sieger

Machine/Link/Effect

ATK - 2100

That done she ended her turn, passing it to me. I looked down at my deck, the 'Hear of the Cards' meter full. Putting my hand on top of my deck, I held it there, and watched as the gem of my Disk glowed rainbow. As that happened, I heard that fucking dramatic theme that came in early Yu-Gi-Oh, the one that played whenever the Pharaoh was in a situation that needed his plot armor to activate. (Okay, I'm fine with this.)

Focusing on my deck, I took a moment to think about what could bring me out of this situation. (Dark Ruler obviously. I could negate Infinity, proc Speed Recovery, then bring back Terrortop. Dark Hole and Ice Bell are on the 'Maybe' list. Alector? Ehhh.) I had ideas, but it all depended on my draw. So, I went for it. "Draw." Looking at what I drew, I nodded. (Knew it.) Activating the Spell, I grinned at my girlfriend. "I activate Dark Ruler No More."

I heard her click her tongue at that, as she should've. "Anyway, we both know what this'll do, so I'll just let it do its thing." The creepy fuck appeared behind me, firing off his laser at her field. Just like what happened to Barrone, her monsters lost their color, going monochrome. "That done I'll activate the Speed Recovery in my grave. By banishing it I can add a Speedroid from my grave to my hand." Grid, tap, done. The blue car appeared again, door opening as a familiar monster popped out. "Obviously, I picked Terrortop. And now I'll Special Summon it." Out from a hole besides me came the mad top itself.

Level 3

Speedroid Terrortop

Machine/Effect

ATK - 1200/DEF - 600

"And now I use his effect, adding a Speedroid monster to my hand." Another grid, one that also closed as soon as I was poked Yoyo. With the monster in hand, I kept going. "I Summon Double Yoyo!" Just like it did before, the Yoyo monster appeared on my field.

Level 4

Speedroid Double Yoyo

Machine/Effect

ATK - 1400/DEF - 1400

"Yoyo's effect! Come out, Red-Eyed Dice." The Yoyo's slammed onto the ground, cracking it and letting the Tuner appear.

Level 1

Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice

Machine/Tuner/Effect

ATK - 100/DEF - 100

"You already know what Red-Eye can do, but this time we're rolling low. I'll be changing Yoyo from a level 4 to a level 2." Red-Eyed Dice glowed, shining the light on Yoyo as the targeted monster's level changed. That done, I tapped the gem, opening the Extra Deck. Tapping who I wanted, I watched as Red-Eyed and Yoyo started to glow, both monsters shooting forwards and into the Synchro rings. "Using Red-Eyed Dice and Yoyo, I Synchro Summon Hi-Speedroid Cork Shooter!" Appearing by my side was a 'Gun' the size/length of my Longbow, only not made to put holes in people.

Level 3

Hi-Speedroid Cork Shooter

Machine/Synchro/Tuner/Effect

ATK - 500/DEF - 1000

|... What even is that archetype?| That was a good question, but one I wasn't going to answer at this point.

Looking over to the Cork Shooter, I activated its effect. "Whenever Cork Shooter gets Synchro Summoned I can activate its effect. Normally that'd let me add a 'Speedroid' Spell or Trap from my deck to my hand. But because all of its Synchro materials were Speedroid Monsters, I can re-summon them to my field." Cork Shooter hummed, and in a moment, spun and shot a space besides me, opening a portal. Out of said portal came Red-Eyed Dice and Yoyo.

Level 1

Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice

Machine/Tuner/Effect

ATK - 100/DEF - 100

Level 4

Speedroid Double Yoyo

Machine/Effect

ATK - 1400/DEF - 1400

With the both of the m back, I reopened my Extra Deck, tapping another one of my favorite Monsters. The moment I did, Red-Eyed Dice, Yoyo, and Terrortop started to glow. Surprise was the instant response from my girlfriend, but that was washed away when they shot towards the rings. The 5D's theme started playing, and I decided I was going to find a way to do something for my Future Self. "Shine the light on our path! Go, Stardust Dragon!" A roar I'd heard only in my younger days sounded out, the field suddenly turning into a copy of space, planets/stars and all.

Out of the expanse of space came a shooting star, one that grew brighter as another roar went out. The source revealing itself when it got in range. Just like how he looked in 5D's, and when I'd Summoned him in Master Duel, the signature Signer Dragon appeared on my field, stardust falling off of his wings as they flapped and kept him in the air. "SKRAAAAAA!" I had Stardust Dragon on my field, and I was fucking living for this.

Level 8

Stardust Dragon

Dragon/Synchro/Effect

ATK - 2500/DEF - 2000

"! Now THAT'S a pretty dragon. !" Hearing that, said dragon flared his wings out a bit, apparently preening... Because of course a dragon would like compliments.

Unfortunately, and no matter how much I would want to keep and destroy Taylor's field with Stardust, the play wasn't over. Opening my Extra Deck again, I tapped Rider. If Taylor could constantly bring back Infinity, then my Ace could come back for a redo. Stardust let out a screech, wings flaring as he and Cork Shooter glowed. My dragon "Stardust, Cork Shooter, go for it!" Glowing like a star, my dragon shot into the sky, while Cork Shooter shot after him a moment later. The Synchro rings appeared, and both my Synchro Monsters reverted to their level stars.

The time was now, and I was going all in. "Let's Rev It Up! RIDE, Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Rider!" The roar of an engine sounded out, immediately followed by the roar of a dragon. And like he had before, my Ace was driving around the field, the mass in the form of Clear Wing following after it from above. They eventually came to a stop by my side, Rider threateningly revving his engine as Clear Wing growled at Infinity. They apparently held a grudge, and I was fine with that.

Level 11

Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Rider

Machine/Synchro/Effect

ATK - 3500/DEF - 2000

"I still can't believe your Ace is a fucking motorcycle." Said motorcycle revved at that, apparently not liking what she said.

I shrugged though, not really seeing anything wrong with that considering how crazy some archetypes looked. "This motorcycle is about to clear your field though. Rider, let's roll the dice." Rider did a fucking wheelie as I said that, while Clear wing roared, turning into the dice. We watched the dice fall, rolling and coming to a stop on 4. "Good enough." That said I shuffled Clear Wing, Terrortop, Yoyo, and Stardust back into their respective decks. "Now Rider, run em the fuck over!" Rider shot forwards like he hit a Mario Kart booster tile, making a beeline for Infinity.

His Stand wasn't far behind, appearing in front of Sieger, clutching the snake like machine's throat in one of its claws. Without wasting a moment, Clear Wing started absolutely manhandling the dragon, while Rider had the free shot to Infinity, which had lashed out with its tail, since it couldn't use its lightning. I watched Rider go for a wheelie, then blasted out some kinda energy from his exhausts, shooting up like a rocket and slamming into the XYZ dragon. The mechanized terror let out a screech as it crashed into the ground, sparks going off as its armor shattered from the impact. "Sy..e...-"

Rider ground Infinity's face into the ground, cutting off its death knell. (Guess the bike holds a grudge.) With Infinity down, and Barrone returning to my grave, Rider 'Turned' and looked at the other monster, only to stop revving when it saw what I saw. Clear Wing was grabbing and holding Sieger up with one hand on its head, the other on its jaw, and brought it down. I'd seen something like that happen before, my bet was on a MK Fatality, because if Sieger was flesh and blood, we'd be seeing its guts spilling on the floor.

(Un)fortunately, all that happened was Sieger turning into golden motes as it disappeared, making the Stand roar out in dominance.

Level 11

Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Rider

Machine/Synchro/Effect

ATK - 5000/DEF - 2000

|I want you to know, if something mysteriously happens to Behemoth, this is why.|

I didn't look at my returning Monster(s), focusing on my girlfriend. [Ey, leave my boy out of this!]

She mentally rolled her eyes at me. |We'll see.| I didn't like how that sounded.

Still, there was nothing else I could do now, so I just sighed. "I end my turn."

Level 11

Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Rider

Machine/Synchro/Effect

ATK - 3500/DEF - 2000

"Draw." She wasted no ti...- The amount of Glee that came from her made me blink. "I activate Overload Fusion! I'm banishing ALL of my Machine monsters," Fuck. "To Fusion Summon Chimeratech Overdragon!" All the fucks. I watched as monsters I knew were in her grave, the Soldiers, Vier, Hertz, Nachster, Core, Cyber Dragon, Nova, Infinity, and Sieger, all appeared above her. Infinity in particular was probably glaring at me with its defunct eyes, which was crazy to me since they were off, but whatever.

I watched as all of her monsters shot into the sky, sparks appearing between them all as a cloud of sparks and lightning started growing, engulfing them all. The lightning grew wilder, striking the ground and lashing out as a... It wasn't a pressure, more like a 'Presence', appeared in my senses. [You feel that?] My Other Half physically nodded, her shields charging up as her Hawkmoon appeared on her hip. I did the same, my Wingman and R-301 appearing as I tensed.

"SKOOOOOOOOORRRRRIYAAAAAAAAAAA!" The explosion of sound that came from the different heads had momentarily caught me off guard, but when the ground shook, and the multi-ton form of Overdragon stood in front of my Other Half, my body instinctively put itself on guard. Looking up at the monster my Other Half Summoned, I had to admit that she pretty much won.

"! DAAAAAAAMN! !" Very eloquent, much wow.

Level 9

Chimeratech Overdragon

Machine/Fusion/Effect

ATK - ? - 8000/DEF - ? - 8000 (I didn't bother counting how many Machines were in her grave, just assumed it was atleast 10 and went for it. Not like it matters though.)

Yeah, I was fucked. That feeling was reinforced when all the heads of the mechanized hydra turned to me, trying to burn me to ash with just its eyes. |Think you'll be fine?|

I snorted. [Of course I will. Kinda question is that?]

My Other Half mentally nodded at that. |Get ready then.| Leaning just a tad bit further, I got ready. "Battle." The heads of Overdragon all snapped onto Rider, the Monster practically radiating its intent to tear my Ace apart. "Overdragon, Destroy Rider."

The monstrosity in front of us let out a screech so loud that it was practically a physical force in of itself. "Rider, Gun It!" My Ace revved his engine, Clear Wing roaring as they both shot towards the hydra. In retaliation, the hydra's heads charged up a breath attack, chaotic streams of gold, blue, and red lightning firing at my Rider. The first few streams were easily avoided, Rider using his speed to not be destroyed.

While he was avoiding them, Clear Wing reached Overdragon. Though before the mass of energy could even do anything, it ate a point blank breath to its face, vanishing. (F.) With Clear Wing gone, Rider seemed to stall, his momentum slowing enough for the rest of the heads to lock onto him. I couldn't even get out an order before he was engulfed in 10 streams of dragon breath. The resulting explosion was enough to blow me back a bit, but just a bit though.

When the dust cleared, I met the gaze of the mechanized hydra, the monster looking ready to tear into me.

Phoenix - 5900 LP

Knowing that I was ready, my girlfriend looked at the Fusion monster, then nodded. "Overdragon, attack him directly." Another ear splitting screech rang out, and the hydra started to charge up again.

I narrowed my eyes at it, preparing myself. (Speed Mode.) My Suit confirmed the change, I hadn't implemented the feature where the different forms had visible changes, which was going to come up soon because I wanted to be a Deoxys, but this would do. The moment the first breath was released was when I moved. I was used to moving as XLR8, so even though I went from standing to moving at 80MPH, I wasn't fucked up, and was able to jump when I needed too.

While I was in the air a pair of heads locked onto me. (Shield.) Maxing my defense was probably the only reason I was only being sent flying and wasn't hurt... Because holy fuck did those beams just shit on my Shields. (33%. Fuckin damn,) Putting that aside for now, I righted myself in the air, watching as the rest of the heads roared and locked onto me. (Welp, call me Hercules. Start Your Engine.)

Behemoth appeared beneath me, a tether shooting from my wrist and attaching to my bike. Reeling myself in, I mounted my bike, immediately starting the boosters, rocketing back down to the ground, and avoiding another stream of hydra breath. The moment Behemoth's wheels hit the ground, we shot off towards the hydra. (All weapons, activate.) In an instant, the sides opened up, the back reconfigured itself as a missile launcher appeared, while a massive drill appeared at the head of my bike. (Target lock, fire.) Maneuvering around another beam, I watched as my turrets opened fire, and missiles blasted from my bike.

I didn't get to watch for long though, what looked like 6 or 7 heads all locked and ready to blow me to hell. (Let's Rev It Up.) The anti-grav activated, followed by the thrusters activating right after, shooting me upwards. "FOR RIDER!" Granted, I wasn't that Sad that my Ace got fucking sent to the Shadow Realm, I just wanted the situation to be as cool as I could get it, and this would do it.

Anyway, Behemoth slammed into Overdragon, the drill tearing into the Monsters armor, making it screech in pain. It only got worse when it took some point blank turret fire.

Unfortunately for me though, not all of the heads were incapacitated, 3 of them snapping towards me, while a 4th was charging up a breath. Seeing the writing on the wall, I sent my bike back, my body dropping as I lost the 'Ground' beneath my feet. It was the best thing to do though, the heads narrowly missing me as I fell and latched onto the hydra's body. (Strength.) The change was instant, and I prepared myself to use the opening I had. Raising a fist, I aimed at the damaged spot from Behemoth's drill, and slammed my fist into it.

For a moment, nothing happened. But then a crack formed, Then another, and another, and so on. Knowing what was going to happen, I brought my fist back out, kicking off of Overdragon, and back onto the ground. Doing that let me get a good look of the Chimera Overdragon breaking apart. It was a cool thing, watching this big fucking Fusion Monster break apart because I Cast Fist... I paused, tensing when the hydra started to charge up more breaths. [We blastin?]

|Give it a second. Tess hasn't shut down the Duel Field yet, so it might be fine.| I couldn't help but raise a mental brow at her for that. She was basing this on a maybe? As if knowing my thoughts, she went on. |There's also the big fuck off cannon on the ceiling aimed at it.|

I blinked at the image she sent, then decided to let it be. Didn't mean I wasn't reaching towards my Wingman though. Thankfully it wasn't needed, the hydra breaking apart into golden lights as it died. With it gone, the results of the duel came, and I wasn't Surprised in the least.

Phoenix - 0 LP

Taylor Wins

While my first duel ending in a loss was a little sucky, I didn't really care. The entire thing was amazing, and I Loved every second of it. Going by the feelings of Pride and Satisfaction coming from my girlfriend, I was pretty sure she felt the same. "... We're doing this again sometime."

I just snorted. "That's obvious, Love."

[Amy's POV hours later]

Laying in Taylor's bed, and sinking into the unfairly soft mattress, I couldn't help but think over what happened today. So much shit went on, making it real fucking easy to not think about last night. (Was that on purpose?) I wouldn't have put it past either of them to do that, Taylor was easy to talk and relate too, while Phoenix apparently knew what to do to make me feel better. (I'll just ask tomorrow, fucker will just tell me if I ask.) It was both nice, and a little frustrating to have someone that'd just cut the bullshit and speak their mind like he did.

Nice, because I knew he meant what he said.

'Frustrating', because the fucker would outright say I had fat tits or something like that, and give me the 'Whatcha gonna do about it' look. (Doesn't help that Taylor's in on it.) I knew the two of them would be the death of me, (But what a way to go.) I paused, blinked, then mentally threw that thought, and the insinuation behind it, into my mind's equivalent of the stratosphere. I didn't know why I was suddenly becoming thirsty for the only other people that treated me like an actual person... (Okay, maybe I can figure it out.) There were probably other reasons, like the fact they were both attractive, blatantly interested in me, and made me happy... (Wow... That's... Okay.) I had no idea what to think about that revelation, but I decided to do what I always did.

Ignore it by thinking of something else, and deal with it never.

The day started normal enough, wake up, shower, breakfast, all that good shit. Sure, the whole 'Being setup to wearing a pair of short shorts and one of Phoenix's oversized shirts' was new, and kinda nice given the looks they both gave me, but it wasn't a bad experience. Breakfast was probably the first time I was genuinely happy during said part of the day. It wasn't stifled, no awkward small talk trying to get others involved, none of that. It was warm, fun, and made me felt wanted.

I wanted more of that. I Craved that.

It was unhealthy, but I didn't care. I wanted to be wanted, and they were doing that by practically letting me live with them.

Thinking about that for a bit, I let out a small snort. (God, how depressing is that? The first people that treat me like a person and I attach myself to them like a limpet.) It'd be funny if it wasn't so pathetic.

Sighing, I turned a bit, rolling onto my side... And heard a small hiss that made me pause. Looking over to the source, my eyes landed on my... Daughter, who was coiled and slept with her head resting on a pillow close to me. Looking at her, and thinking about what she was to me, was weird.

By all rights, I should've been horrified about what I'd done. Should've done my best to undo her creation and get rid of her... But when I looked at her that first time, and she leaned into my touch, going so far as to rub herself against my cheek, I just couldn't. Maybe that was why I'd created her, my subconscious wanting someone/thing that would care for me, love, me.

I didn't know, and I didn't want to think about it too much, because that would mean getting introspective, and I just didn't want to do that.

(Still...) Reaching out to Scylla, a part of me rolled my eyes at the fact he named our d...- Her, after a sea monster goddess, I gently ran a finger over the crest of her head. The resulting low hiss managed to keep me from getting lost in her biology, while also letting me know she liked this. (I don't think I can ever get rid of her.) She may have been created in a fugue state, but that didn't detract from what she was to me.

Granted, I was going to need some time to get used to the fact I not only had a 'Daughter', but that she was made from my friend's arm, and was a semi immortal snake. My 'Firstborn' was a product or Bio-tinkering, and was capable enough to kill a grown person without needing to really try. (Yeah, sounds about right.) It helped that my friends didn't condemn me, or her. They would've had every right too, but they treated me the same, while just accepting Scylla as family. Hell, Taylor had outright hand fed my daughter bugs, which was amusing as hell.

I huffed at that, because the fact no one batted an eye at the Bio-Construct was crazy, not bothering to stop the smile I felt growing. (If this is a sign of how my life's going to go, then I think I'll be fine.)

New Wave and I were practically over, the team itself was tearing itself apart from what I'd exposed, there was apparently an hour long shouting match earlier in the day, so there was no chance in hell that I would ever rejoin the team... And as much as that thought should've hurt, it didn't. Carol didn't hang over me like a Sword of Damocles anymore, she couldn't breathe down my neck and treat me like some kind of undesirable.

The only sour point of it all was that I hurt Vicky. She didn't deserve that, and because of it she was going to be stuck in the center of the fighting. I'd make it up to her...

Somehow. (Not really sure how, but that's a problem for future Amy.) For a second I thought I heard a hum coming from nearby, but when I didn't see anyone else in the room, I just chalked it up to my imagination. (Not like anyone can sneak in here or anything.) The defenses here were no joke, I knew that for sure.

Auditory hallucination and promises of reparation aside, I thought about what I'd seen from 'Swampfire's' physiology. The first, and most important, thing that I noticed was his capability for regeneration. I'd literally seen him tear off his own arm, and have it regenerate in seconds. From what I'd seen, he should theoretically be able to fully regenerate from just a small clump of cells, like, the size of a thumb clump. It was only possible due to how condensed his DNA was, and how it was configured. Each cell seemed to carry unbelievably compressed DNA that held everything that made up Swampfire. The idea was probably so even if the majority of his body was gone, whatever was left would have enough to not only recreate itself, but contain the memories prior to whatever did the destroying.

It was fascinating really, and would probably be the equivalent to the pinnacle of what a regenerative Brute could be. (That alone would've made that form a massive threat. But he's got advanced Chlorokinesis, can spew out methane, and throw fire around like its no ones business? Fucking lucky bastard.) Granted, I wasn't really against my friend being a stupidly broken bastard. I was just complaining for the sake of complaining.

(Then there's the shit that happened later.) Hearing the whole idea of it, all I could think was 'Nerd.' And for good reason. Fucker got his ass beat and challenged his girlfriend to a card game from an anime.

What else was I supposed to think?

Then it started, Taylor summoned a big fucking dragon machine, and I was suddenly invested in the whole thing. I wasn't the only one though, Melody, Erin, Tess, and Illiyana, who told me their names when we were watching the 'Duel', were apparently as interested in it as I was. Though considering what 'Archetype' Taylor was using, it made sense. (The Tinker's would find mechanical dragons interesting, especially when one of them was Dragon herself.)

Phoenix's deck though was... Well, it was something. When the witch girls came out, I was both amused, because he was using witch girls, and slightly disappointed, because they were just witch girls.

And then he summoned the knight.

The bike and his dragons too, but more specifically the knight. 'Barrone' was probably the coolest thing I'd seen in a while. 'Stardust Dragon' was up there too, because a dragon that shed stardust like glitter was pretty as fuck, but the french knight was my highlight. And why wouldn't she be? She was a badass knight that slew dragons. That was fairy tale shit right there, and the little girl inside of me was all for it. (Hell, the damn near 18 year old me was all for it.)

The rest of the 'Duel' had kept my attention, even on the turns where not much happened. It was the constant attempts of trying to gain the upper hand, keeping the other side from getting too much power, and the constant resetting the field, that made me anticipate what happened next. And when the fighting started, I was just at the edge of my seat watching how their Monsters beat each other down. (Or got sucked up by Infinity.) I might not have known what was going on the whole time, but Tess had supplied me with a thing that let me see the descriptions of their cards, so I could read the effects. That made figuring out the what and how, leaving me to take in how they were using said effects and mechanics.

What really stuck with me though was the combat. Apparently not every Duel would have the duelist get involved, like when they had to evade the Monster's attacks, they were just testing it to make sure their Monsters could actually impact the real world. (Because of course they would weaponize some kind of anime card game. Why not?) I was really starting to think that was Phoenix's go too to everything. 'Why not?'

Still, I couldn't help but admit that the whole experience, being in a stadium and watching as those Monsters went at it as their duelists tried to win, was amazing. I also couldn't help but admit that I wanted to try it. To be there as people cheered me on as I went against some Monsters.

That was probably my inner adrenaline junkie speaking, but I agreed with it. I wanted that, and hopefully I'd get a chance to try it...

I just hoped being an Olympic Athlete wasn't required, because then I was shit out of luck... (Though... Maybe I could join in on their training sessions?) I was probably going to join Pantheon in the future, so getting a head start on getting in shape wouldn't hurt. Remembering what the green haired asshole had said earlier, I closed my eyes. (... I should look up some cardio exercises.)

It didn't take long for me to fall asleep after that, my mind drifting to the roars of the crowd, and the sight of a coliseum.

While I was going over this chapter, I noticed that I forgot Yoyo was in my opening hand... I would've tried incorporating it into the duel, but considering how many words this chapter is, I said 'Fuck it' and left it be. Not sure how this would've turned out with it in play, probably set up another Barrone, but I'm fine with how it turned out.

Anyway, that's the last one for now. Next chapter will be the Vicky Interlude, which should then lead into the Bakuda Arc, which will hopefully have something that hasn't been done before. I've also put up the poll for adding Amy to the Fireswarm pair, or pairing her up with Lisa, so go do that.

Taylor's deck

Monsters

Hertz(3)

Nachster(3)

Maxx C(3)

Core(3)

Drei(3)

Vier(3)

Cyber Dragon(3)

Galaxy Soldier(2)

Spells

Feather Duster(1)

Machine Duplication(2)

Power Bond(1)

Overload Fusion(2)

Cyber Emergency(2)

Cyber Repair Plant(3)

Cyber Revsystem(2)

Dark Ruler No More(2)

Cyberload Fusion(2)

Traps

Imperm(2)

Cybernetic Overflow(2)

Cyber Network(1)

Extra Deck

Chimeratech Overdragon(1)

Chimeratech Rampage Dragon(2)

Chimeratech Fortress Dragon(1)

Cyber End Dragon(1)

Chimeratech Megafloat Dragon(1)

Cyber Eternity Dragon(2)

Cyber Dragon Nova(2)

Cyber Dragon Infinity(2)

Linkuriboh(1)

Cyber Dragon Sieger(2)

Phoenix's Deck

Monsters

Red-Eyed Dice(2)

Snow Bell(3)

Terrortop(1)

Taketomborg(3)

Ice Bell(3)

Car Turbo(2)

Double Yoyo(2)

Glass Bell(3)

Fuki-Modoshi Piper(1)

Wynn the Wind Channeler(3)

Alector(3)

White Steed(2)

Spells

Dark Hole(2)

Feather Duster(1)

Avarice(2)

Speed Recovery(2)

Dark Ruler No More(2)

Windwitch Chimes(2)

Summon Storm(3)

Speedroid Scratch(2)

Fleuret de Fleur(2)

Speedlift(2)

Traps

Imperm(2)

Extra Deck

Martial Metal Marcher(1)

Hi-Speedroid Cork Shooter(1)

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon(1)

Windwitch - Winter Bell(1)

Stardust Dragon(1)

Crystal Wing Synchro Dragon(2)

Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake(1)

Crystal Clear Wing Synchro Dragon(2)

Barrone de Fleur(2)

Hi-Speedroid Clear Wing Rider(1)

Clear Wing Fast Dragon(1)

Hi-Speedroid Rubber Band Shooter(1)