"When the opponent activates an effect that adds a card from the Deck to their hand, I send the Tuner monster Ash Blossom & Joyous Spring from my hand to the Graveyard to activate its effect, negating that effect!"
Just as the core in Cyber Dragon Core's head lit up, a small girl with a glowing forehead flew out and pressed her hand on it.
"Denied!"
The light on Cyber Dragon Core's head instantly went out.
"Interesting. A way to interrupt me even on my first turn?" Though his monster's effect was negated, Ryo Marufuji's expression remained unchanged, but a hint of greed flashed in his eyes. "As long as I defeat you, that card will be mine."
Yūga Hōzumi shrugged, unfazed by Ryo Marufuji's words. "I didn't expect us to have so much in common. I'm also quite fond of that Infinite Impermanence in your Deck. I wonder if I can get another two copies after I take you down? I only got one from your subordinate last time, which wasn't quite enough."
Ryo Marufuji laughed heartily. "That card? I run three copies in my Deck. However, I doubt you'll get the chance to use them!"
"I activate the Continuous Spell, Cyberdark World!"
"When this card is activated, I add one 'Cyberdark' monster from the Deck to my hand, as long as a copy with the same name isn't in the Graveyard."
"I add Cyberdark Cannon to my hand."
"I activate the effect of Cyberdark Cannon in my hand!"
"By discarding this card from my hand, I add one Machine 'Cyberdark' monster from my Deck to my hand."
"I add Cyberdark Chimera to my hand!"
"Next, I activate the effect of Cyberdark Claw in my hand! By discarding this card, I add one 'Cyberdark' Spell or Trap Card from my Deck to my hand."
"I add Cyberdark Horizon, which is always treated as a 'Cyberdark' card, to my hand!"
"I activate the Spell Card, Cyberdark Horizon! By sending one Dragon-type and one Machine-type 'Cyber' monster with different Attributes from my hand and Deck to the Graveyard, I can add one Dragon-type or Machine-type 'Cyber' monster from my Deck to my hand, and send one Machine 'Cyber' Fusion Monster from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard."
"I send Cyberdark Keel from my hand and Cyber Dragon Core from my Deck to the Graveyard, add Cyberdark Horn from my Deck to my hand, and send Cyberdark Dragon from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard!"
"When Cyber Dragon Core is sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates! I add one Cyber Dragon from my Deck to my hand."
"Next, when Cyberdark Chimera is sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates! I send one 'Cyberdark' monster from my Deck to the Graveyard, as long as a copy with the same name isn't already there."
"I send Cyberdark Keel to the Graveyard!"
"I activate the Spell Card, Graceful Charity! I draw three cards, then send two cards from my hand to the Graveyard."
"Next, I activate the Spell Card, Overload Fusion!"
"From my field and Graveyard, I banish the Fusion Materials for a DARK Machine Fusion Monster and Fusion Summon it from the Extra Deck."
Ryo Marufuji laughed wildly as rampant black lightning formed a vortex-like tribulation cloud in the air. Bolts of black lightning continuously struck down, exploding around the two duelists.
"I banish five monsters from my Graveyard—Cyberdark Dragon, Cyberdark Keel, Cyberdark Edge, Cyberdark Horn, and Cyberdark Claw—to Fusion Summon!"
"Descend, raging soul of the Cyberdark style! Bring ruin and destruction upon this world! Fusion Summon! Level 10! Cyberdarkness Dragon!"
From the tribulation cloud, a ferocious, fully armored mechanical dragon emerged, riding the lightning. Its bone-like wings and shimmering body formed an eerie harmony. The cannon barrels on its back gleamed with a cold light, aimed at Yūga Hōzumi below.
Cyberdarkness Dragon ATK: 2000
"When Cyberdarkness Dragon is successfully Special Summoned, I can select one Dragon or Machine monster from my Graveyard and equip it to this card. This card's ATK increases by the ATK of the equipped monster."
"I equip Cyberdark Cannon from my Graveyard to this card!"
Cyberdarkness Dragon ATK: 2000 → 3600
"I activate the Field Spell, Cyberdark Inferno!"
"While this card is on the field, 'Cyberdark' monsters equipped with an Equip Card cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects!"
"Next, I set two cards and end my turn!"
After Ryo Marufuji ended his turn, the Cyberdarkness Dragon in the sky roared, and terrifying pressure stirred a fierce wind that swept towards Yūga Hōzumi.
Amidst the wind, Yūga Hōzumi calmly gripped the Emperor's Key on his chest as holy light enveloped him.
"I overlay myself and the Emperor's Key! ZEXAL Morph!"
Yūga Hōzumi's short black hair was dyed gold by the light. Red half-armor materialized over his body, and the golden, holy aura instantly dispelled the sinister wind.
"Oh? So this is the form you used to defeat Aster Phoenix? Interesting." Seeing Yūga Hōzumi's transformation, Ryo Marufuji raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued.
"Interesting? I hope you can still say that when I defeat you!" Yūga Hōzumi said coldly.
"My turn! Draw!" Yūga Hōzumi's right hand flashed with a golden light. After drawing the card, he slammed it onto his Duel Disk.
"I activate the Spell Card, Onomatopaira! I send one card from my hand to the Graveyard to add up to two monsters with different names from among 'Gagaga,' 'Gogogo,' 'Dododo,' and 'Zubababa' monsters to my hand."
"Oh? A powerful search effect?" Ryo Marufuji smiled. "Then, at this moment, the effect of Cyberdarkness Dragon activates! When my opponent activates a Spell, Trap, or monster effect, I can send one Equip Card I control to the Graveyard to negate the activation and destroy that card."
Beside Yūga Hōzumi, the retrieval rune summoned by the Spell Card had just lit up when the dragon in the sky roared, firing a bolt of black lightning that shattered the magical circle.
Cyberdarkness Dragon ATK: 3600 → 2000
"When Cyberdark Cannon, which was equipped to a monster, is sent to the Graveyard, its effect activates. I draw one card from my Deck."
*You chose to use your on-field negate on my opening search. Are you that confident in your two set cards?*
*Including the card I discarded for the cost, that negation was a straight minus two in card advantage. Still, I have extenders in my hand,* Yūga Hōzumi thought, pondering Ryo Marufuji's intentions.
"I set the Scale 5 Performapal Fire Mufferlion in my Pendulum Zone!"
"Next, I activate the Continuous Spell, Zoodiac Barrage!"
"I activate the effect of Zoodiac Barrage!"
"I target one face-up card I control, destroy it, and then Special Summon one 'Zoodiac' monster from my Deck."
"I destroy Performapal Fire Mufferlion on my field and Special Summon Zoodiac Ratpier from my Deck!"
(end of chapter)