Yu-Gi-Oh! The Pitfall Hero

Principal Samejima: "...Ryo, you are the rightful successor of our Electronic Flow Dojo. Remember the days when you, as a young boy, and your students sweated, trained, and grew together in this hall..."

"Respecting your opponent, respecting the duel itself, and putting yourself in your opponent's shoes to see your own words and actions, Ryo Marufuji... At that time, I was impressed by the brilliance of your dueling prowess, which is why I passed on the [Cyber ​​End Dragon] to you."

"And three years ago, we met again."

"This time, I've become the principal of the Duel Academy, and you've become a student of the Duel Academy... Although we're not in a master-disciple relationship like before, witnessing your growth and watching you gradually become Caesar still makes me very happy and gratified. I believe that giving you that card was an absolutely correct decision..."

"But you now..."

Changing the subject, Principal Samejima looked at the drastically changed Hell Caesar (Ryo Marufuji) with a complex expression in his eyes.

"...No need to say more."

With a calm and ruthless tone, Hell Caesar interrupted the old man's reminiscences: "The reason I traveled so far to come here and accepted your duel invitation is for only one purpose: to obtain another deck passed down through the Cyber ​​Stream!"

"If [Cyber ​​End Dragon] is the representative of the top deck, then there must be a corresponding representative card of the bottom deck..."

With a scrutinizing gaze fixed on Principal Samejima across from him, Hell Caesar smirked and said with a wicked smile, "...It is precisely to obtain it from you that I am here, standing on the opposite side of you."

"Hey! Samejima Master! Behave yourself and let me defeat you, then teach me that deck!"

Seemingly possessed by a devoted son, Hell Caesar at this moment, at least on the surface, is not affected by those past memories.

Faced with Principal Samejima's emotional offensive, he simply stood there unmoved, just like the Electronic Terminator Dragon behind him, showing not the slightest wavering.

"The Rika deck... that's a branch deck that violates our school's philosophy. It was sealed away by the first master when it was first created."

"...Ryo, are you planning to unlock the secrets of this deck?!"

Hearing the ambitious words of Hell Caesar, Principal Samejima was slightly taken aback and looked at the solid wall behind him.

On that wall, the image of an electronic Terminator Dragon with its body fully extended and its divine power awe-inspiring was clearly printed.

As the representative monster of the Electronic Flow Dojo, the moment the door is opened, the image of this giant dragon will be deeply imprinted in the minds of outsiders.

However, if you look closely at this mural, you will find that in the corner where the brilliance of the electronic end dragon has not been illuminated.

Behind that light of destruction, there was clearly the figure of a black dragon.

The black dragon, which is the counterpart to the Electronic Terminator in the composition, does not exist in any records, and all information about it has been gradually forgotten over time.

Nowadays, it's probably only Samejima, the dojo master, and Marufuji Ryo, the dojo's successor, who still remember that such a thing existed.

"Heh... I came here to defeat you in this duel, and then I will inherit this deck. That's why I'm here."

"……Bright!!!"

"Samejima Teacher, my turn isn't over yet!"

"Hmph! I'll make you wake up and realize your mistakes!"

Looking at his prized disciple, whose body was now shrouded in black and who seemed completely different from before, and still feeling a bit shaken by what had just been said, Principal Samejima frowned and opened the face-down card in front of him: "...Ambush Card open! I activate the Continuous Trap Card—[Cyber ​​Shadow Guardian]!"

"...This card can only be activated during your opponent's Main Phase. This card is also used as a Trap Card. After activation, this card becomes a Monster Card (Machine-Type, EARTH, Level 4, ATK/DEF?) and is Special Summoned to your Monster Zone."

Then, this card's ATK and DEF become the same as one of the opponent's Attack Position monsters; in other words, it becomes a phantom monster with the same appearance and attribute.

During your opponent's End Phase, this card is Set in your Spell & Trap Zone.

The trap card revealed by Principal Samejima features a humanoid mechanical monster existing in the black mist, its body composed of various sharp blades, and radiating purple energy.

As the card's effect was activated, it stepped out of the card illustration and appeared in front of Principal Samejima, taking his place to bear the immense pressure of [Cyber ​​End Dragon].

The monster's appearance is somewhat similar to a combination of Blade and an alien. As a guardian, it doesn't appear ugly at all; instead, it gives people a strange sense of beauty.

Under Caesar's gaze, the monster, whose true form was a trap card, began to twist and contort.

Enveloped in black mist, the [Cyber ​​Shadow Guardian] transformed into a phantom monster that looked identical to the [Cyber ​​Terminator Dragon] and possessed the same attributes.

【Cyber ​​Shadow Guardian (Cyber ​​Terminator Dragon)】Attack Power: 4000

"You copied my Cyber ​​Terminator Dragon, huh? Interesting!"

Kaiser acknowledged Samejima's tactics and then waved his hand, inserting the second card from his hand into the back row of the Duel Disk: "Quick-Play Spell - Fusion Deactivate! Based on this card's effect, I send the Cyber ​​End Dragon on the field back to the Extra Deck, and then Special Summon the three Cyber ​​Dragons from my Graveyard that served as its Fusion Material!"

A deep blue light descended from the sky, enveloping the magnificent body of the three-headed dragon.

As Caesar finished speaking, the [Electronic Termination Dragon] disintegrated behind him, transforming into three [Electronic Dragons] that roared to the sky (Attack Power: 2100).

Samejima: "Tsk..."

With the departure of [Cyber ​​Terminator Dragon], [Cyber ​​Shadow Guardian] also lost its target for replication.

After its body twisted once more within the black mist, the [Electronic Shadow Guardian] simultaneously transformed into one of the [Electronic Dragons]. Its attack power also decreased from 4000 points to 2100 points.

"Heh... a counterfeit is still just a counterfeit. Even if it can reflect the appearance, it can't reflect the corresponding quantity!"

With a mocking laugh, Caesar raised his arm and opened his palm towards Principal Samejima: "I will stack two [Cyber ​​Dragons] to construct an Xyz Network and perform an Xyz Summon!"

"...Light of the new star, guide my way forward, open the path to victory for me!"

"Xyz Summon! Rank 5! [Cyber ​​Dragon Nova]!!!"

A crimson light shot into the sky with the explosion of the supermassive vortex.

With the roar of the next-generation nuclear power reactor, the new electronic dragon, crowned with the name of a rising star, unfolded its mechanical wings, which were connected to each other on its chest like blood vessels and were marked with crimson patterns. It twisted its black and white steel body and came to Caesar's side.

Facing the fake guards opposite, [Electronic Dragon Nova] let out a roar filled with anger!

569. Electron Flow Civil War!

"I will stack two Cyber ​​Dragons to create an Xyz Network and perform an Xyz Summon! Appear! Rank 5—Cyber ​​Dragon Nova!!!"

As Hell Caesar roared, a burst of light shot into the sky from the black and white vortex in front of him.

Amidst the dazzling light of the Xyz Summon that filled the arena, the brand-new next-generation Cyber ​​Dragon—[Cyber ​​Dragon Nova]—appeared before Hell Caesar, its black and white steel body coiled with crimson light and imbued with an indescribable and powerful aura.

With the appearance of this Xyz Monster, the Cyber ​​Shadow Guardian, which was extremely adept at copying, acted like a drunkard who had smelled fine wine. Without hesitation, it twisted its body again, transforming its appearance into a phantom identical to Cyber ​​Dragon Nova.

Although CyberDragon Nova has the same attack power as CyberDragon, it's obvious to anyone with eyes that this monster is not as simple as it seems on the surface.

However, although the [Cyber ​​Shadow Guardian] replicated the appearance and attributes of Nova and possessed the same attack power, it did not replicate the effects of [Cyber ​​Dragon Nova].

Ultimately, the [Electronic Shadow Guardian] is just a shadow guard; it has no attributes of its own.

Once it loses the object it was meant to replicate, it becomes nothing.

Therefore, in a sense, this behavior is also a futile effort.

-

【Electronic Dragon·Nova】

(Mechanical/Light/5-star/Attack: 2100/Defense: 1600)

Effect/Overdose:

2 five-star machine-type monsters

①: Once per turn, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to activate this effect. Special Summon 1 "Cyber ​​Dragon" from your Graveyard.

②: Once per turn, you can banish 1 "Cyber ​​Dragon" from your hand and face-up monsters on the field to activate this effect. This card gains 2100 ATK until the End Phase. This effect can also be activated during your opponent's turn.

③: If this card is sent to the Graveyard by your opponent's card effect, you can activate this effect and Special Summon 1 Machine-Type Fusion Monster from your Extra Deck.

-

"Ha... Let's fight! I'll attack the Cyber ​​Shadow Guardian (Cyber ​​Dragon Nova) with [Cyber ​​Dragon], take this! Evolutionary Flame!!!"

Looking at the shadowy guardian opposite him whose form had changed, Hell Caesar let out a disdainful snort.

He then waved his hand, entering his battle phase, and instructed his electronic dragon to attack the electronic shadow guardian, which had the same attack power as it at that moment.

Naturally, the electronic shadow guardian retaliated against the white flames that were hurtling towards it.

Both sides have the same attack power of 2100 points.

Therefore, this evenly matched battle ultimately ended with simultaneous destruction on both sides amidst the simultaneous explosions.

"...It's not over yet! My attack isn't finished! Now that [Cyber ​​Dragon]'s attack is over, it's [Cyber ​​Dragon Nova]'s turn!"

"Go! [Cyber ​​Dragon Nova], launch a direct attack on Samejima Shishin, who has lost his monster protection! Nova Blast!!!"

With a bloodthirsty smile on his face and his eyes narrowed in pleasure, Hell Caesar commanded his Xyz Monster, located on his field, to launch a direct attack on the unprotected Principal Samejima.

Unlike ordinary electronic dragons, the [Electronic Dragon Nova], whose entire body is powered by a nuclear reactor in its chest, emits a flame of an extraordinary crimson color!

Although the damage is the same as the white flames of the electronic dragon, in terms of power, it far surpasses it.

If we had to use a metaphor, it would be like Gallantmon in Digimon fusing with Grani and unlocking Crimson Mode, evolving from an Ultimate level to a Super Ultimate level, and gaining the powerful ability to rewrite all tragedies!

"Wow... well done!"

"But I had already anticipated this situation!"

Seeing the red flames hurtling towards him, Principal Samejima remained calm and reached out to activate the second face-down card in the back row: "—Ambush Card open! At the very moment you attack, I activate the Trap Card [Sacrifice in the Path]!"

"...When a monster on your field is destroyed, I may Special Summon one [Cyber ​​Ogre] (Machine/EARTH/Level 5/ATK: 1900/DEF: 1200) from my hand!"

"...Come forth, my monster! Special Summon! [Cyber ​​Ogre]!!!"

As Principal Samejima said this, he slammed a card from his hand onto the deck of the Duel Disk.

As he moved, a mechanical troll with an inverted golden crescent-shaped horn on its head appeared in front of Principal Samejima, whose field was empty, accompanied by a burst of summoning light.

【Electronic Ogre】(Attack Power: 1900)

"...[Cyber ​​Ogre]'s attack power is 1900, which is less than [Cyber ​​Dragon Nova]'s 2100. In this battle, your monster will be destroyed, and you will also take damage equal to the difference in attack power between the two monsters!"

With an unchanged expression, Hell Caesar, who had already guessed that Principal Samejima would have a backup plan, calmly explained the current situation.

Even if Principal Samejima summons a new cyber monster at this moment, it cannot change the fact that he is at a disadvantage.

After defeating the ogre, Caesar will make new preparations for the battles to come.

After all, ahead of the rising stars, there are even more powerful ultimate beings.

"Ha... Solevadocana (That's not necessarily true)!"

"...What?"

"At the very moment the monster engages in battle, I discard the second [Cyber ​​Ogre] from my hand and activate its effect!"

Principal Samejima, smiling, showed off the card with the same name in his hand and continued, "According to the effect of [Cyber ​​Ogre], the battle damage to both monsters in this fight will become 0. Then... the [Cyber ​​Ogre] that took this damage will also have its attack power increased by the opponent's monster's attack power after the battle!"