"Whoosh~!"
With a fierce gust of wind, a jet fighter resembling a crouching tiger appeared in the sky above Hayato's Field. The jet propulsion system keeping it airborne even kicked up splashes from the sea surface below.
(V-Tiger Jet) [Level 4/LIGHT]
[Machine Type]
[1600/1800]
"It's not a Warrior-Type?" Anacis was a little puzzled. "Let me just confirm, you are the Hayato I've heard about, right? Not his twin brother or something?"
"The one and only. Besides, I never said I only use pure Warrior-Type Monsters, did I? Even a HERO has to keep up with the times and learn to use technology," Hayato said with a smile, but his hands didn't stop moving. "Next, I Activate the Spell Card, (Frontline Base). Once per turn, I can Special Summon one Union Monster from my Hand in addition to my Normal Summon."
"After V comes W! Come on out, (W-Wing Catapult)!"
The Spell Card (Frontline Base) appeared in Hayato's Backrow, and from its Card Art, a blue aircraft was launched, rapidly ascending to the same altitude as (V-Tiger Jet).
(W-Wing Catapult) [Level 4/LIGHT]
[Machine-Type/Union/Effect]
[1300/1500]
"A rare Union Monster, huh? So, does that mean what's coming next is..." Anacis looked up at the (V-Tiger Jet) and (W-Wing Catapult) flying side by side.
Hayato swept his hand forward. "That's right! Union Monsters are cards that can Combine with specific monsters. Combine and transform, V and W!"
In the sky, the two aircraft, hearing their master's command, instantly broke down their components, transforming and reassembling into a single, larger aircraft.
[VW-Tiger Catapult] [Level 6/LIGHT]
[Machine-Type/Fusion/Effect]
[2000/2100]
"To think he summoned a Level 6 Monster in a single Turn... amazing. And since it's an aircraft, it's not affected by (Umi)," Socrates remarked from the sidelines. "But, if he can't find the Boss's hidden Monster, having high Attack is useless."
*Go ahead and bend the rules,* Hayato thought, too lazy to even comment on how Anacis's monster gained an "invisibility" ability just because of the (Umi) Field Spell, while his own "VW" was somehow immune to the Field's buffs because it could fly. The current dueling rules actually allowed for such Rule Bending to exist.
*However, since you've started bending the rules, it shouldn't be a problem if I do it too, right?*
"The combination of 'VW' enhances more than just the machine's performance! By linking up, they've enabled a new function: radar and sonar!"
Hayato used the "it's not written on the card, but it has this effect" Rule Bending. The [VW-Tiger Catapult] on the Field actually responded to his command, deploying a rotating radar dish from the aircraft's tiger head that began scanning the surroundings.
"This is bad!" Anacis exclaimed in shock, his gaze shifting to where he had Summoned his monster. The instant [VW-Tiger Catapult] deployed its radar system, the silhouette of the monster hidden beneath the sea was revealed.
"I'm not done yet! I Activate another Effect of 'VW'!" Hayato Sent one card from his Hand to the Graveyard. A card materialized behind [VW-Tiger Catapult] on the Field, then shattered into photons and was absorbed into its body, as if refueling it.
Having absorbed the power of that card, all of [VW-Tiger Catapult]'s systems activated at full power, instantly creating a massive waterspout on the sea's surface. "I can Discard one card from my Hand as the Cost to activate its ability. I can change the Battle Position of one Monster on the Field!"
"Energy Charge! Go, [VW-Tiger Catapult]! Use the Bringer Fan to sweep up that monster!"
The waterspout immediately demonstrated its power. The Monster beneath the waves could no longer hide and was dragged out from the sea by the massive vortex. It was a penguin wearing armor.
"The Boss's Set monster is (Penguin Soldier)!" Socrates immediately shouted the monster's name.
(Penguin Soldier) [Level 2/Water]
[Aqua-Type/Flip]
[750/500]
Anacis burst out laughing. "That's right! My Set Monster is the underwater warrior, (Penguin Soldier)! When it's Flipped, I can return up to two monsters on the Field to their Owner's Hand! I Target your [VW-Tiger Catapult] and my (Penguin Soldier)!"
But even though Anacis had declared the activation of his monster's Effect and specified its targets, the (Penguin Soldier) inside the massive waterspout showed no reaction. It just kept spinning with the rising current, even starting to look dizzy.
Hayato declared triumphantly, "Useless! When 'VW' uses its effect to Flip a monster, even if that flipped monster has a special Effect, it cannot be activated!"
"Furthermore, because the card I Sent to the Graveyard was (Ojama Magic), I can add one '(Ojama Green)', one '(Ojama Yellow)', and one '(Ojama Black)' from my Deck to my Hand!"
Quickly drawing the three annoying creatures from his Deck, Hayato Set two cards from his Hand and waved his arm grandly. "The path ahead is completely clear! 'VW', Attack that defenseless (Penguin Soldier)!"
At his command, multiple hatches on the tiger head and wings of [VW-Tiger Catapult] opened, revealing countless missile pods ready to fire.
"Full Salvo! Spacium Ballistic Missile!"
"BOOM!"
A dense barrage of missiles instantly enveloped the (Penguin Soldier) trapped within the waterspout. The fiery explosion annihilated it along with the towering vortex, and the excess Damage was simulated as an impact wave by the Solid Vision system, striking Anacis.
[Anacis: 4000 LP → 2750 LP]
"I End Turn," Hayato declared. The [VW-Tiger Catapult] in the air shut down the systems it had activated, returning to its normal state.
[Hayato: 4000 LP, Hand 3]
[VW-Tiger Catapult] [ATK 2000]
[(Frontline Base)] [Set Card] [Set Card]
Despite taking an Attack and being in a clear disadvantage, Anacis suddenly looked at Hayato and started laughing. "Hahahaha! You're really something else, Hayato! It's no wonder you're the one who beat Weevil! This is one exciting Duel! Hahahaha!"
"My Turn, Draw!"
Looking at the monster he drew, Anacis couldn't help but smile, looking smugly at Hayato. "Since you summoned such a powerful Monster, it's only fair that I return the favor and Summon my Ace Monster!"
"I Activate the Effect of (Star Blast) in my Hand! By paying Life Points, I can reduce the Level of a monster. It costs 500 LP for each Level," Anacis chuckled. "I will Pay 1500 LP to reduce the Level of (Levia-Dragon - Daedalus) in my Hand to Level 4. Heh heh, a fair trade."
[Anacis: 2750 LP → 1250 LP]
"Wielder of the surging waves that swallow all! Descend, my beloved Duel Monster, the sovereign of the seas!"
"(Levia-Dragon - Daedalus)!"
As Anacis called out the name of Daedalus—the builder of the labyrinth that imprisoned the Minotaur in Greek mythology—the waves on the sea's surface grew incredibly turbulent. A colossal shadow appeared beneath the water. Even before revealing its true form, the sheer size of the dark figure swimming below was enough to exert immense pressure.
***
*Author's Notes:*
*Xyz isn't exactly a new type of card, since Kaiba used them in Duel Monsters. Speaking of which, in the manga, Chazz Princeton was actually Kaiba's apprentice, but he used a pure Dragon-Type Deck. He didn't have Ojamas or Xyz, and his ace was Panda Dragon.*
*Also, the protagonist is using a "pure Machine-Type" Deck this time.*
(end of chapter)