Archfiend Cavalry—absorbed!
Transforming Sphere's effect is faithfully adapted from the manga. The printed card added a single line:
"Once per turn."
Yes—printed versions slap "once per turn" on many old, broken designs. In the manga, Transforming Sphere lacked that clause: with enough discard fodder and a Defense target, it could absorb multiple times per turn.
"Direct attack, Transforming Sphere!"
As it dove with the absorbed Soldier, Titan stayed calm and barked: "Activate set card!
Trap, Sakuretsu Armor—destroy the attacking monster!"
"Futile struggle," Kagemaru said coldly. "Trap: Air Barrier.
While 'Sphere' is on my field, this turn your monsters can't declare attacks, and no card effect can destroy my monsters." (manga card)
A transparent gale vortex flared like a shield before the Transforming Sphere. The trap's beam crashed into it and dissipated.
"NANI?!" Titan's face stiffened. "The trap didn't work..."
"Transforming Sphere—continue your attack!"
"Ungh!"
Compelled by the wind, his own Archfiend Cavalry's lance pierced his chest. Titan grunted, clutching his heart and dropping to a knee.
[Titan LP 4000 → 2000]
"So this is the Shadow Riders' leader—seamless offense and defense," Tania murmured. "Impressive."
"Sphere..."
Lyman was familiar with the theme; seeing Kagemaru run it stirred old memories in his eyes.
Kira found the duel entertaining.
Sphere that can steal monsters... looks fun.
"At the end of the Battle Phase in which it attacked, Transforming Sphere changes to Defense Position," Kagemaru said.
[Transforming Sphere, ATK 2000 → DEF 100]
"I set three and end."
His voice stayed dull.
"At the end phase, the monster equipped to Transforming Sphere returns to its owner's field. Your Archfiend Cavalry goes back."
[Archfiend Cavalry, DEF 0]
Titan caught his breath and stood.
"My turn. Draw!"
He took the ejected card and squinted at it.
"Let me try out this new power here.
Ritual Spell—'Ritual of the Matador'!" (anime card)
Black miasma pooled at his feet and swirled into a vortex.
"This Ritual is for 'Matador Fiend.' From hand and/or field, tribute monsters totaling Level 6 or more to Ritual Summon 'Matador Fiend!'"
Titan's original deck was pure Fiends. The Matador line came with his embrace of darkness—his new power as a true dark duelist.
"I tribute from hand the Level 6 'Legendary Fiend' to Ritual Summon!
Appear—
Warrior of the abyss, dark champion—
—Matador Fiend, Ritual Summon!!"
The tribute vanished into the maelstrom; claws tore the dark! An evil aura fiend emerged, shrieking.
[Matador Fiend, ATK 0]
Even fellow executives hadn't seen this; it was his ace. Yet ATK/DEF 0 surprised everyone.
"ATK 0?" Meanae blinked. "So much cost for a Ritual and..."
"Don't underestimate it," Don Zaloog said. "The lower the ATK, the more dangerous some of these are."
"Ritual is a Special Summon, and I haven't Normal Summoned yet."
Titan smirked and flashed another card.
"I tribute Archfiend Cavalry to Advance Summon!
Wielder of dark lightning—
—Summoned Skull descends!"
Black clouds gathered; golden lightning speared down. The fiend rode the thunder and crashed onto the field.
[Summoned Skull, ATK 2500]
"Ooh, two bosses in one turn," Chick said. "Not bad."
"It is the Shadow Riders, after all," Meanae nodded. "Anything less wouldn't be worthy colleagues."
"Indeed," Don Zaloog agreed.
On comms, Kira silently chuckled.
These Burglars aren't that strong, but their confidence is. Among the Shadow Riders, they're the weakest bunch.
"Battle!" Titan shouted. "Now I'll unleash the darkness!
Matador Fiend attacks! Strike Transforming Sphere!"
The Matador dashed—swift yet eerily silent.
"Attacking with ATK 0?" Chick frowned.
"Matador's effect," Titan sneered. "Matador Fiend can't be destroyed by battle and you take no battle damage from its battles.
But any monster that battles it is destroyed!"
Chick jolted. "That strong!?"
The Matador reached the Transforming Sphere. Wind blades cut at it, but they vanished into its form. A slash—and the Transforming Sphere detonated into fragments.