Chereads / Yu-gi-oh 5D's-V / Chapter 15 - chapter 15

Chapter 15 - chapter 15

(Not too long later at the Dueling stadium)

The stadium was packed with people with pretty much every seat taken. All the people cheered for the duel that was about to take place. On the field, female cheerleaders cheered for the event. "You fans have been waiting patiently for this duel, and now it's finally happening! Three years ago, the famous Dueltainer, Yusho Sakaki, failed to defend his title against The Sledgehammer. Now, Sakaki's own son, not to mention Yusei Fudo's student, will try to erase his father's disgrace!" Nico Smiley called out in his microphone, getting the crowds of people to cheer in excitement.

Flying up above were blimps with screens showing both The Sledgehammer and Yuya, both with their own different color backgrounds and their names. Among the crowd were Skip, Zuzu, Gong, Lulu and Rin, all five of them standing up in front of the entrance to watch the duel between Yuya and the Sledgehammer. "Do you think Yuya will show up?" Zuzu questioned in concern for her childhood friend as she held her hands together in a pray, no longer angered by Yuya's choice to accept the challenge, but more concerned.

"He'll be here. Thanks to Yusei's teachings, Yuya doesn't run away from a challenge anymore". Rin commented with her arms crossed and eyes narrowed, confident that the tomato haired boy will show up. "Hope ya right". Gong remarked, wishing his best friend luck, and hope for victory. "Alright! Then we'll get our new ARC System-!" Skip exclaimed in excitement, only to be cut off by Zuzu bringing out her fan and smacking his head with it. Lulu was silent with a slightly worried look, but was confident that Yuya will defeat the Sledgehammer.

"Now let's get this grudge match on the way! Here goes!" Nico called out as he held up his right hand, which a card virtually appeared between his index and middle fingers. "I activate the Field, Castle of Chaos!" The manager of the Sledgehammer called out as he held up the card, which released a bright blue light.

"Augmented Reality Combat System energized! Generating Action Field!" A female AI voice called out as the Arc System underneath the field began to activate. "I tell you people, this ARC technology blows my mind! The field its generating is so real that you can actually climb the castle walls, or toss your mother-in-law in the dungeon!" Nico Smiley chuckled as the field transformed into the Field Spell, Castle of Chaos. The field was now filled with a forest full of tress, stone pillars around the area, and a stone castle in the middle of it.

At the top of the castle balcony, The Sledgehammer made his presence known as he stomped on the ground, standing next to the edge and facing the crowds of people. "It's him… Guys and girls, presenting Leo Institute's top Action Duelist and reigning world champion, he's the biggest, baddest browser to have ever picked up a deck! The Sledgehammer!" Nico Smiley cried out as he held his right hand out to The Sledgehammer, who roared out as he raised his hands into the air, getting the crowd to cheer for him.

"He's gone through rigorous training since his defeat to Yusei Fudo, and has come back bigger, badder and a whole lot meaner than before! Can his challenger stand up to this new version of The Sledgehammer!? We'll find out! Everyone give it up for Yuya Sakaki!" The Sledgehammer's manager cried out as he thrust his right hand forward with his index finger out.

(Play Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V Yuya's theme)

From the shadows inside of the castle, Yuya walked out with a deadly serious expression on his face with his Odd-Eyes Dragon themed Duel Disk on his left forearm. The Odd-Eyes Dragon's mouth, and its eyes were closed. He stopped ten feet away from the Sledgehammer, who turned around to face him. "So, the son of Yusho Sakaki didn't run away from me". The 'champion' of Paradise City stated with a frown on his face, getting Yuya to smirk at him. "My teacher taught me to face all challenges head on. Including you". The tomato hair styled boy told the Sledgehammer as he gave a small bow to his opponent.

"So, even Yusei Fudo can turn a spineless kid into a true Duelist. Let's see what he taught you!" The Sledgehammer exclaimed as he swiped his left arm in front of him and his Duel Disk activated with its blade appearing. Yuya narrowed his eyes at his opponent. "Alright then…" The tomato hair styled boy began, before he swiped his left arm up in front of him. "Bring it on then!" Yuya finished as his Duel Disk activated with the words 'Duel Mode' appearing on the screen, before they were replaced by 'Standby'. First, the Odd-Eyes Dragon head's eyes shot open, revealing the different coloured eyes, before its mouth opened and his deck appeared between its teeth. Finally, the blade-shaped blade appeared from the Duel Disk, before Yuya held his Duel Disk in front of him.

"Big talk coming from a clown. But you won't be so confident when the Sledgehammer squashes you". Sledgehammer said with a frown on his face, which Yuya countered with a confident smirk. "It looks like sparks are flying, and they haven't even started dueling yet! Okay Duelists, get your five cards in hand, and get set to battle!" Nico called out on his microphone as Yuya and the Sledgehammer drew their starting hand.

"Our Duelists and their decks are primed for an epic battle showdown like nothing you've ever seen before, as we kick off this contest with a whirlwind that'll leave you breathless!" Nico cried out as he spun around like a whirlwind, before stopping and held up his right fist, now holding his microphone with his left hand. "It'll be the Duel that'll end all Duels! Only the toughest will survive this face off! ARE YOU READY!?" The manager of the Sledgehammer exclaimed as he held up his right hand, ready to snap his fingers. "Let's duel!" Yuya and The Sledgehammer cried out, officially starting the duel.

(Music stop)

Yuya Life Points: 4000/ Number of cards in hand: 5.

The Sledgehammer Life Points: 4000/ Number of cards in hand: 5.

Nico snapped his fingers as cards gathered above the field, before they dispersed all over the field. "Action cards dispersed!" The same female AI voice from before called out as both Yuya and the Sledgehammer transferred their cards from their right hands to their left hands. "Since I let your teacher go first in our duel, I'll be going first this time". The Sledgehammer told his young opponent, before he picked a card from his hand and held it up with his right hand's index and middle fingers.

"I activate the Spell, Feast of the Wild LV 5!" The bulky man called out as he slotted the Spell card into his Duel Disk. The Spell card materialized in front of him, before it began glowing. "This will get the crowd crazy for more because it lets me Summon two battling behemoths! I Summon Swamp Battleguard and Lava Battleguard!" The Sledgehammer explained his Spell's effect as he held out his right hand, before two portals appeared beside him. Swamp Battleguard and Lava Battleguard appeared from the portals, swinging their weapons.

Swamp Battleguard ATK Points: 1800/ Level: 5.

Lava Battleguard ATK Points: 1550/ Level: 5.

The two battleguards leaped away from their duelist and began falling off the castle. "I tribute them both right away, so that I can Summon the ruler!" The Sledgehammer exclaimed as both Lava and Swamp Battleguard turned into green sparkles, before a bright light appeared in the forest of the Action Field. "No forest can hide you or castle can protect you from the chief of all wild savages, all hail! Battleguard King!" The Sledgehammer chanted as the forest was smashed away to reveal his ace monster, Battleguard King, who let out a powerful roar.

Battleguard King ATK Points: 3000/ Level: 8.

The crowd cheered at the sight of The Sledgehammer's ace monster. "The Sledgehammer Summoned a monster that's as mean as he is! I wouldn't want to be in Yuya's new boots!" Nico commented on his microphone, while Yuya narrowed his eyes. 'His opening… it's just like in his duel against Yusei'. The 14-year-old boy thought to himself, seeing that his opponent was making the same moves as he did in his duel against the Shooting Star of Satellite.

Sledgehammer let out a cry as he leaped off the castle and landed on Battleguard King's left hand. "I shall place one card face down and end my turn!" The Sledgehammer declared his turn over, holding up a card before he slotted it into his Duel Disk. A face down card appeared on the ground in front of Battleguard King, before it disappeared from view.

Yuya Life Points: 4000/ Number of cards in hand: 5.

Battleguard King turned around and began walking off. "The Sledgehammer appears to be searching for Action cards early. He mustn't want to take chances like he did against Yusei!" Nico called out on his microphone as Yuya walked up to the edge of the platform and saw Battleguard King walking away. 'Time to nut up, or shut up'. The teenage boy thought to himself as he brought up his left arm and looked down at his Duel Disk.

"My turn now!" Yuya explained as he placed his right hand's index, middle and thumb fingers on the top card of his deck. "I draw!" He called out as he drew his card in a dramatic fashion by swiping his right hand out to the side with the card being held by his three fingers. Yuya brought the card to his face, before he held up his hand to look at the rest of his cards. He added the card he drew to his hand, before he picked another one and held it with his right hand's index, middle and thumb things.

"To start things off, I'll Summon Performapal Whip Snake!" Yuya called out as he swiped the card onto his Duel Disk's blade. A portal appeared besides him, before Performapal Whip Snake appeared, giving out a cry with a smile.

Performapal Whip Snake ATK Points: 1700/ Level: 4.

Whip Snake coiled around Yuya's stretched out right arm, before the teenage boy took off. He jumped to the edge of the castle and grabbed onto a hook attached to a string, before he began sliding downwards. "I activate Whip Snake's special ability! Once a turn, Whip Snake can switch your monster's ATK and DEF Points until the end of the turn!" The tomato hair styled boy explained his monster's special, making the Sledgehammer widen his eyes in surprise.

"Say what!?" The 'champion' exclaimed in surprise as Whip Snake's eyes gleamed yellow as he stared at the back of Battleguard King, causing a yellow aura to cover the Warrior-type monster and making him stop in his tracks.

Battleguard King ATK Points: 3000 – 1900 = 1100/ DEF Points: 1100 + 1900 = 3000.

The Sledgehammer jumped off his ace monster's hand and onto the ground, before he turned around to look at Battleguard King. Yuya let go of the hook, causing him to fall to the ground, but he did a forward summersault and landed on his feet. "Whip Snake, whip it to Battleguard King!" Yuya commanded his monster as he held out his right hand. Whip Snake let out a hiss as he uncoiled around his master's hand, before he shot out towards Battleguard King.

"I don't think so! I activate the Trap, Battleguard Howling!" The 'champion' called out, thrusting his right fist out as his face down card reappeared, before it flipped itself over. Battleguard King rose to his feet, before he turned around and roared at the approaching Whip Snake, making the Reptile-type monster stop dead in his tracks with wide eyes.

"When a Battleguard monster I control is targeted for an attack, this Trap not only negates it, your monster returns to your hand and you take damage equal to its ATK Points!" Sledgehammer explained his Trap card's effect as his ace monster let out another terrifying roar, creating a powerful gale of wind that blew Whip Snake into the air, before he turned into sparkles. Yuya was pushed back a bit from the gust of wind, but he remained strong and took Whip Snake's card off his blade and returned it to his hand.

Yuya Life Points: 4000 – 1700 = 2300.

"Oh boy, everybody! Just when Yuya had the Sledgehammer on the ropes, he countered it all with his Trap card! Now Yuya has not only lost his monster, but almost half his Life Points!" Nico called out on his microphone as the crowd cheered for the exciting match. "I'll play a face down card, and end my turn!" Yuya declared his turn over as he held up a card with his right hand's index and middle fingers, before he slotted it into his Duel Disk.

Battleguard King ATK Points: 1100 + 1900 = 3000/ DEF Points: 3000 – 1900 = 1100.

Sledgehammer Life Points: 4000/ Number of cards in hand: 0.

"Argh! I knew it was a bad idea to let Yuya duel! He's getting creamed out there!" Zuzu exclaimed in concern for her childhood friend, thinking that she should have prevented Yuya from accepting the Sledgehammer's challenge. Lulu, Rin, Skip and Gong all looked worried for Yuya as he now had the disadvantage. "Don't sell him out so quickly!" A familiar voice told the five from behind, getting Lulu, Zuzu, Rin, Skip and Gong to look behind them to see Yusei and Yoko walking up to them, but kept inside the entrance.

"Dad! Yoko! Where have you guys been?" Rin questioned in surprise, having been wondering where the two have been since the duel began. "Yusei came over to tell me of what's going on. But that's not the point. Just look at Yuya". Yoko told the group, getting them all confused, but still turned to look at one of the screens as it zoomed in on Yuya's serious face.

"Yuya doesn't have the look of defeat on his face; in fact it's a look of someone just getting started. Just watch, Yuya's not going down that easy". Yusei told everyone as he crossed his arms and watched as the duel continued. "Yusei's right! Come on, Yuya! Show them all what you're made of!" Gong cheered out in encouragement to his best friend as he brought out a flag from out of nowhere with Yuya's face on it, before he began waving it around. "You've still got Life Points, so that means you still have a chance!" Rin called out to her friend with an easy going smile on her face, her belief in Yuya remaining strong.

Having heard Gong and Rin, Yuya looked up at the audience to look at them, along with the others, before he gave a nod. The teenage boy looked back at his opponent as the Sledgehammer moved in to draw his card. "My turn now! I draw!" The bulky man exclaimed as he drew his card in a dramatic fashion with his right hand. Turning the card over to look at it through the corner of his right eye, the Sledgehammer grew a grin at seeing what it was. He held the card up for Yuya to see, revealing it to be a Spell card with the image showing a battle axe with a silver blade and a purple handle. "I equip Battleguard King with the Equip Spell, Battleguard Battle Axe!" The Sledgehammer called out as he swiped the card into his Duel Disk.

(Battleguard Battle Axe/ Type: Equip Spell/ Effect: The equipped monsters gains 500 ATK and is unaffected by your opponent's Spells or Traps.)

Battleguard King's hammer glowed as it transformed into the battle axe that was on the card's image, which he held with both his hands. "First, Battleguard Battle Axe gives the monster that it is equipped to, 500 more ATK Points…!" Sledgehammer began to explain his Spell card's effect as Battleguard King's power went up.

Battleguard King ATK Points: 3000 + 500 = 3500.

"And the best part, the equipped monster is unaffected by your Spells and Traps!" The bulky man finished, getting Yuya to slightly widen his eyes in surprise. "Oh boy, this isn't good! Thanks to that battle axe, Yuya's chances of victory have gone down a lot! His face down better be something good, or else this match is over!" Nico called out on his microphone with wide eyes, knowing that Yuya will lose if he takes a direct attack one.

"Go Battleguard King and squash this clown!" Sledgehammer commanded his ace monster, which Battleguard King roared as it brought its battle axe into the sky, intending to bring it down. "This duel is far from over! I play Performapal Kuriborder from my hand!" Yuya called out as he picked a card from his hand and held it out in front of him with his right hand's index and middle fingers. A Kuribo appeared above Yuya, it had a tail with a star at the end and it had a red and green hooded beanie with a yellow pompom at the end as well.

Performapal Kuriborder ATK Points: 300/ Level: 1.

Battleguard King brought down his axe on Kuriborder and destroyed the little guy, but instead of creating a shockwave, the destruction created red and green sparkles that rained down on the smirking Yuya. "When I'm attacked directly, I can Special Summon my little buddy to take the hit for me. And the best part is that he reduces battle damage to 0 and recovers Life Points by the same amount! Since the Battle damage would have been 3200 points, my Life Points go up by that amount". Yuya explained his monster's special ability as the sparkles rained down on him, before a red and green aura covered him as his Life Points went up.

Yuya Life Points: 2300 + 3200 = 5500.

"Talk about taking one for the team! Yuya's little buddy saved him from certain defeat!" Nico called out on his microphone in surprise as the crowd cheered, while Sledgehammer gritted his teeth in annoyance. "You may have saved yourself, but I'll get you next turn!" The bulky man exclaimed as he held up his right fist, getting Yuya's smirk to grow even more.

"Oh yeah? Check it out!" Yuya called out, swiping his left arm forward as his face down card appeared, before it levitated up and revealed itself to be Illusion Ballons. "When a monster I control is destroyed, I can to draw cards from my deck equal to the number of monsters that were destroyed this turn. Then, I can Special Summon the highest Level Performapal monster from my deck!" The tomato hair styled boy explained his Quick-Play Spell's effect as he placed his right hand's index, middle and thumb fingers on the top card of his deck.

"Yuya's taking a chance here! If he draws a monster, he'll have something to protect him, but that will allow Battleguard King to attack again!" Nico exclaimed with wide eyes as he, along with everyone else with the stadium, watched closely as Yuya closed his eyes, before he drew his card with his right hand's index and middle fingers and held it up in the air. Yuya opened his eyes as he brought the card down and held it out to reveal that it was Performapal Skeeter Skimmer. "It's Performapal Skeeter Skimmer, and I'll Summon him in ATK Mode!" The tomato hair styled boy called out, before he swiped the card onto his Duel Disk's blade. A portal appeared, before Performapal Skeeter Skimmer came out of it.

Performapal Skeeter Skimmer ATK Points: 500/ Level: 4.

"Talk about lucky! Yuya got a monster, but he must have made a mistake because it placed it in ATK Mode!" The Sledgehammer's manager exclaimed with wide eyes, thinking that Yuya made a mistake. Yuya turned around and began running off with Skeeter Skimmer following after him. "Battleguard King, attack that bug and squash it!" The Sledgehammer commanded his ace monster, pointing towards the Insect-type monster.

Battleguard King let out a fierce roar as he rose up his battle axe, intending to bring it down on Skeeter Skimmer. Yuya turned his head left and right as he searched for an Action card. Just then, he spotted one lying down on a tree branch. He began running to the tree, before he looked over his left shoulder to look up at Battleguard King. "I activate Skeeter Skimmer's special ability! When he's targeted for an attack, not only can I switch him to DEF Mode, but negate your attack!" Yuya explained his monster's special ability as Skeeter Skimmer stopped following after its Duelist, before he turned around.

Skeeter Skimmer raised its front arms up in front of its head, before spreading his wings. A force field appeared around the Insect-type monster as it changed positions.

Performapal Skeeter Skimmer DEF Points: 1600/ Level: 4.

Battleguard King brought down its axe on the force field, but it remained strong repelled the attack, even pushing the Sledgehammer's ace monster back a bit. The bulky man gritted his teeth as Yuya jumped up towards the tree branch and picked up the Action card. "I end my turn here!" The Sledgehammer declared his turn over as Yuya landed on the ground on his feet, before he looked at the Action card and saw that it was High Dive, before he added it to his hand.

Yuya Life Points: 5500/ Number of cards in hand: 5.

The teenage boy turned around to look at the Sledgehammer, before he placed his right hand on his deck. "I draw!" Yuya called out as he drew his card in a dramatic fashion with his right hand's index and middle fingers. He added his new card to his hand, before he picked up another one. "Let's try this again! I'll Summon Performapal Whip Snake!" Yuya called out as he swiped the card onto his Duel Disk's blade. A portal appeared besides him, before Performapal Whip Snake appeared, giving out a cry with a smile.

Performapal Whip Snake ATK Points: 1700/ Level: 4.

"If a Performapal monster is Normal Summoned, I'm allowed to Special Summon this! Come on in and join the part, Helpprincess!" Yuya called out as he took another card from his hand and placed it on the blade. A portal opened next to Yuya, before Helpprincess came out with a happy laugh as she held her staff with her left hand and her phone with her right hand.

Performapal Helpprincess ATK Points: 1200/ Level: 4.

"Now, I'll switch Skeeter Skimmer back into ATK Mode!" Yuya declared as he reached out to Skeeter Skimmer's card and switched the card to a straight position. Performapal Skeeter Skimmer brought his hands down, but kept his wings spread out.

Performapal Skeeter Skimmer ATK Points: 500/ Level: 4.

"Now I activate Whip Snake's special ability! Once a turn, Whip Snake can switch your monster's ATK and DEF Points until the end of the turn!" The tomato hair styled boy explained his monster's special, thrusting his right hand out as Whip Snake's eyes gleamed yellow as he stared at the back of Battleguard King, causing a yellow aura to cover the Warrior-type monster and making him stop in his tracks.

Battleguard King ATK Points: 3500 – 2400 = 1100/ DEF Points: 1100 + 2400 = 3500.

"Oh no! Now the tables have turned on the Sledgehammer! If he takes all three attacks, he'll be way behind Yuya!" Nico commented on his microphone as everyone watched the duel, getting more excited as the tables kept on turning for both of them. The Sledgehammer gritted his teeth, before he looked left and saw an Action card on the stone circle around the field. "Before I get to attacking, I'll play the Action card that I picked up! The Action card, High Dive!" Yuya called out as he held up the Action card with his right hand's index and middle fingers, before slotting it into his Duel Disk.

"This card increases one of my monster's ATK Points by 1000! And I think I'll go with Performapal Skeeter Skimmer!" The teenage boy explained the Action card's effect as a yellow aura appeared over Skeeter Skimmer, increasing his power.

Performapal Skeeter Skimmer ATK Points: 500 + 1000 = 1500.

Battleguard King lowered his left arm to his Duelist, which the Sledgehammer jumped onto. "Skeeter Skimmer, take out Battleguard King!" Yuya commanded his monster, swiping his right hand out towards the Warrior-type monster. Skeeter Skimmer spread his wings, before he began flying towards Battleguard King, who swiped his left arm out, launching his Duelist to the stone circle. Skeeter Skimmer thrust out its front right fist and slammed it into Battleguard King's stomach, making the Warrior-type monster explode upon impact. (1500 – 1100 = 400)

Sledgehammer Life Points: 4000 – 400 = 3600.

"I can't believe it! Yuya Sakaki actually destroyed the Sledgehammer's ace monster without even breaking a sweat!" Nico called out on his microphone in disbelief as the crowd cheered. Gong and Skip cried anime tears of joy for Yuya, while Zuzu still looked worried. Yusei, Lulu, Rin and Yoko all smiled at seeing Yuya do so well against the Sledgehammer.

Yuya grew a confident smirk on his face at seeing his achievement of destroying Battleguard King. The explosion had created a smokescreen that covered the 'champion' from view, but Yuya wasn't worried. Skeeter Skimmer returned to his side, while Whip Snake and Helpprincess looked eager to attack. "With your king gone, nothing is standing in the way of Helpprincess' way of attacking you directly!" The teenage boy exclaimed, thrusting his left arm out.

"Except for this!" A familiar voice stated, making Yuya widen his eyes in surprise as the smoke cleared to reveal the Sledgehammer standing at the stone circle, holding up an Action card with his right hand's index and middle fingers. "I play the Action card, Great Escape!" The Sledgehammer exclaimed as he swiped the card into his Duel Disk. The card appeared on his right side, before it released a powerful gust of wind that pushed back Skeeter Skimmer, Helprincess and Whip Snake.

"Oh, boy! Yuya's luck has run out as Great Escape ends the Battle Phase! Meaning that Sledgehammer's Life Points are safe!" Nico called out on his microphone, while Yuya gritted his teeth in slight frustration. "I end my turn!" Yuya declared his turn over as he took off running into the forest, intending to find another Action card.

Performapal Skeeter Skimmer ATK Points: 1500 – 1000 = 500.

Sledgehammer Life Points: 3600/ Number of cards in hand: 0.

"My turn now!" Sledgehammer called out as he drew his card in a dramatic fashion with his right hand, before he held it out. "I activate the Spell card, Battleguard Draw!" The bulky man exclaimed as he slotted the card into his Duel Disk. The Spell card materialized in front of him, floating above the sky. The image showed Swamp Battleguard, Lava Battleguard and Battleguard King each holding a giant card that was their size.

(Battleguard Draw/ Type: Spell/ Effect: Remove two Level 5 or higher 'Battleguard' cards from your Graveyard; draw 3 cards from your deck.)

Two black swirling portals appeared on the Sledgehammer's left and right. "This Spell removes 2 Level 5 or higher Battleguards from my graveyard, and I get to draw 3 cards!" The 'champion' explained his Spell's effect as Swamp Battleguard appeared on the left portal, while Lava Battleguard appeared on the right portal. "I remove Lava Battleguard and Swamp Battleguard from my Graveyard!" Sledgehammer exclaimed as the two monsters turned into sparkles that were absorbed into the portals.

The portals disappeared, while Sledgehammer drew 3 more cards from his deck and held them up with his right hand. The bulky man looked at his cards, before he grew a smirk on his face at seeing one of them. He handed the cards over to his left hand, before he took one of them with his right hand. "I activate the Spell, Fissure!" Sledgehammer called out, holding the card out with his right hand's index, middle and thumb fingers as it glowed.

The ground underneath Skeeter Skimmer split right open, much to the surprise of the Insect-type, Helpprincess and Whip Snake. Skeeter Skimmer fell down into the fissure, before he dispersed into sparkles with the ground mending back together. "What just happened!?" Yuya questioned with wide eyes as he stopped running and shot around, looking down at the ground with wide eyes with Whip Snake and Helpprincess floating in front of him.

"The Spell card destroys your weakest monster". Sledgehammer explained the Spell card's effect, before he jumped off the stone circle. He slammed onto the ground on his feet, kicking up dust from the impact, but he seemed unaffected by the order as he lifted his head to look up at Yuya. He took one of his cards with his right hand and held it out. "Now, I activate Pot of Greed!" The "champion" of Paradise City cried out as he slotted the card into his Duel Disk, before a green pot with a greedy face appeared in front of him.

"This card allows me to draw 2 more cards!" The adult man explained his Spell's effect as he drew two more cards from his deck with his right hand, while the pot shattered. He added the two cards to his hand, before he took one of them and held it up. "I Summon Granite Battleguard!" The 'champion' called out, picking up one of the two cards and swiping it onto his Duel Disk's blade. Granite Battleguard appeared in front of his Duelist, swinging his club around.

Granite Battleguard ATK Points: 1000/ Level: 3.

"When this card is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon Boulder Battleguard from my hand!" The 'champion' explained his monster's special ability, before he took the last card in his hand and placed it on his blade. Boulder Battleguard appeared besides Granite Battleguard and swung his club around.

Boulder Battleguard ATK Points: 1200/ Level: 4.

The Sledgehammer took the last card in his hand and held it out with his right hand. "Now, I activate the Spell card, Star Changer!" Sledgehammer called out, before he slotted the card into his Duel Disk. The card materialized on the field and gleamed brightly, before a single yellow star came out and flew around Granite Battleguard. "With this Spell's power, I can either increase Granite Battleguard's Level by 1, or decrease its Level! And I choose to increase its Level!" The adult man called out, thrusting his right hand into the sky with his index finger out. The star was absorbed into Granite Battleguard's body, causing him to start glowing white.

Granite Battleguard Level: 3 + 1 = 4.

"Now, bear witness to the fruits of my training! I Overlay Level 4 Granite Battleguard and Level 4 Boulder Battleguard!" Sledgehammer called out, swiping his right hand up into the sky as both Granite Battleguard and Boulder Battleguard turned into brown bright lights, before they flew into the air. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" The 'champion' called out as a galaxy-like portal appeared in front of him with the two brown lights diving into it.

"I Xyz Summon! Battleguard Gladiator!" Sledgehammer called out as his new monster slowly rose up from the galaxy portal. It was a black skin Battleguard monster wearing a dark gladiator outfit with a dark blue cape, a silver helmet on its head that showed its red eyes and razor sharp teeth. He wielded a one-handed sword with its right hand, and a circle shape shield with its right hand. Battleguard Gladiator let out a powerful roar as two brown overlay units circled around it.

(Battleguard Gladiator/ Rank: 4/ Attribute: Earth/ Type: Warrior/ Xyz/ Effect/ ATK Points: 2300/ DEF Points: 1700/ Requirements: Two Warrior-Type monsters/ Effect: If this card destroys an opponent's monster in battle and sends it to the Graveyard; you can detach one Xyz Material from this card, equip the destroyed monster to this card. This card gains ATK equal to the combined ATK of the monsters equipped to it. If this card was Xyz Summoned using Battleguard monsters, if this card battles an opponent's monster, you can switch its Battle position.)

"It's here! The Sledgehammer's new Xyz Monster has finally made its appearance!" Nico cried out in excitement on his microphone, staring at Battleguard Gladiator in awe. The crowd cheered out in excitement at seeing the Xyz Monster of their 'champion', while Yuya narrowed his eyes at the sight of it.

Zuzu, Gong and Skip all looked worried for Yuya, while Yusei, Lulu, Rin and Yoko looked at Battleguard Gladiator as it stood besides the Sledgehammer on his right. "So that's the Sledgehammer's new Xyz Monster. Doesn't look that impressive". Rin commented with an unimpressed look on her face. "Don't underestimate it. Xyz Monsters possess powerful effects, and the lack of ATK Points must mean they're powerful". Lulu told her sister, turning her head left to look at Rin.

"Lulu's right. Monsters with low ATK Points usually means a powerful effect. Who knows what that Gladiator can do?" Yoko said in agreement to the Mistress of Birds, having seen many monsters that had low ATK Points with powerful effects. "Yuya can handle whatever that thing can throw at him". Yusei remarked with his arms crossed, having full confidence that his student can handle the Xyz Monster.

"Battleguard Gladiator! Attack Performapal Whip Snake!" Sledgehammer commanded his Xyz Monster, pointing towards the terrified looking Whip Snake with his left hand's index finger. Battleguard Gladiator's eyes flashed red for a moment, before he unleashed a powerful roar as he started charging towards the terrified looking Whip Snake. It swung its sword at the Reptile-Type monster, causing it to disperse into particles and creating a small gust of wind. (2300 – 1700 = 600)

Yuya Life Points: 5500 – 600 = 4900.

Yuya nearly flinched at his monster's destruction and held up his left arm to protect his eyes from the gust of wind. "I activate Battleguard Gladiator's special ability! When this card destroys an opponent's monster, by using an Overlay unit, I can equip the destroyed monster to Gladiator, and he gains the equipped monster's ATK Points!" Sledgehammer explained his Xyz Monster's effect as one of Battleguard Gladiator's Overlay Units was absorbed into its sword, causing it to glow bright purple as it slightly changed forms.

The glowing stopped to reveal the handle of the sword was now Whip Snake's head with the blade coming out of its mouth. A purple aura appeared over Battleguard Gladiator, before it unleashed a powerful roar, creating a powerful gust of wind that blew a few virtual leaves from the tress into the air.

Battleguard Gladiator ATK Points: 2300 + 1700 = 4000.

"Wow! Check out that big boy! He didn't just get an accessory from Whip Snake, but even his ATK Points as well, raising them up to 4000! I don't know how Yuya's gonna get out of this!" The Sledgehammer's manager called out on his microphone with wide eyes, causing the crowd to roar out in excitement. "I end my turn here!" Sledgehammer declared his turn over, turning it over to Yuya.

(Play Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's - Sound Duel 1 - 19. Yusei Battle)

Yuya Life Points: 4900/ Number of cards in hand: 3.

"It's my turn now!" Yuya called out as he drew his card in a dramatic fashion by taking a hold of the top card with his right hand's index and middle fingers, before swiping his hand out with the card between his fingers. Yuya looked through the corner of his right eye to look at what he drew, before he grew a smirk at seeing what it was. 'Alright. Just what I needed to turn the tables'. The tomato hair styled boy thought to himself with a smirk, before he added the card to his hand.

Yuya turned right and began running off to search for an Action card with Helpprincess floating after him, only for them to come to a stop when Battleguard Gladiator blocked their path. "Looks like Battleguard Gladiator's blocking Yuya's way to find another Action card!" The Sledgehammer's manager commented as Yuya gritted his teeth, before he turned around and began running off in the other direction with Helpprincess following after him. However, Battleguard Gladiator jumped up into the air over Yuya and Helpprincess, before he landed in front of them and blocked their path once more.

"Don't even try to outrun Battleguard Gladiator; it'll just be a waste of time. He'll block your path always, keeping you from getting Action card. I, on the other hand, am free to collect Action cards". The Sledgehammer told Yuya with a smirk on his face, before he began running into the forest. Yuya gritted his teeth more as he watched his opponent search for an Action card, before he turned to face the Xyz Monster in front of him. "Then I'll just remove Gladiator! I'm Summoning Performapal Sword Fish to the field in ATK Mode!" Yuya called out as he picked up a card and swiped it onto his Duel Disk's blade. A blue portal appeared on the ground in front of Yuya, before Performapal Sword Fish floated out of it.

Performapal Sword Fish ATK Points: 600/ Level: 2.

Yuya then picked up another card with his right hand's index and middle fingers, before he flipped it over to reveal it to be Performapal Changeling Dragon. "By selecting a selecting a Wind Attribute, Dragon-type or Performapal monster I control, I'm allowed to Special Summon this card. Come on out, Performapal Changeling Dragon!" The teenage boy exclaimed, before he placed the card onto the blade. A rainbow portal appeared besides him, before Changeling Dragon came out of it, flying past Battleguard Gladiator and into the air.

Performapal Changeling Dragon ATK Points: 0/ Level: 1.

"If Changeling Dragon was Summoned through his effect, I can change his Level to the selected Performapal Monster from before and change its Level to that monster's Level, or keep his Level the way that it is! And I think I'll leave his Level just the way it is!" Yuya explained his Tuner Monster's effect, before swiping his right hand into the air.

"Level 1 Performapal Changeling Dragon tunes with Level 4 Performapal Helpprincess and Level 2 Performapal Sword Fish!" The tomato hair styled boy called out as Helpprincess flew to his right side, while Sword Fish flew to his left, before both monster flew into the air. Changeling Dragon let out a roar, before he transformed into a single green ring.

The ring chased after the two Performapal monsters, circling around them as they turned orange transparent, being scanned by the ring. Helpprincess transformed into four lights, while Swordfish became two lights. The lights lined up in the green ring, forming six lights, before a bright beam appeared and absorbed them and the rings. "I Synchro Summon the lovely, the amazing, the graceful skater, Odd-Eyes Skater!" Yuya called out to the heavens as the beam cleared to reveal Odd-Eyes Skater, before the female monster began spinning around at a fast peace. She suddenly stopped and released a gale of wind.

Odd-Eyes Skater ATK Points: 2400/ Level: 7.

"It's here! Yuya's Synchro Summon, taught to him by his master, Yusei Fudo! Let's see how well he does with Synchro Monsters!" Nico exclaimed in an excited voice, which was matched by the audience as they cheered in excitement. Yusei, Lulu, Rin, Yoko, Gong and Skip all smiled as they watched Odd-Eyes Skater float down besides Yuya, while Zuzu frowned at the Synchro Monster.

"Go Skater! Take out Battleguard Gladiator!" Yuya commanded his Synchro Monster as he swiped his right hand out to the Xyz Monster. Skater brought her hands up above her, before she began spinning at an incredible speed with her hair blowing. The Sledgehammer had just reached the other side of the Action field and just picked up an Action card from a bush. He brought up his Duel Disk as a screen appeared above the Duel Disk's screen, showing Yuya's face.

"Do you have a screw loose? Your monster is nowhere near as strong as Battleguard Gladiator". The 'champion' questioned the teenage boy with a frown on his face, making Yuya smirk at him from his side. "That's the thing. When Odd-Eyes Skater attacks at opponent's monster, that monster's effects are negated". Yuya revealed to the Sledgehammer, much to his shock as he widened his eyes.

Back on Yuya's side, Odd-Eyes Skater hurled blade shaped energy of wind at Battleguard Gladiator's sword, chipping the blade. "That means that Whip Snake is no longer equipped to him, and Gladiator's ATK Points return to normal!" The teenage boy told his opponent as Battleguard Gladiator's sword shattered into pieces, much to the Xyz Monster's shock.

Battleguard Gladiator ATK Points: 4000 – 1700 = 2300.

"But they won't remain normal for long! When Odd-Eyes Skater battles a Special Summoned monster, that monster's ATK Points are cut in half!" Yuya explained his Synchro Monster's special ability further as Odd-Eyes Skater hurled more blade shaped energy of wind at Battleguard Gladiator, cutting away at his armor and tearing his cape up.

Battleguard Gladiator ATK Points: 2300 – 1150 = 1150.

The Sledgehammer widened his eyes in panic, while Yuya grew a smirk on his face. "Skater, take it away!" The teenage boy commanded his Synchro Monster, swiping his right hand out and pointing towards Battleguard Gladiator with his index finger. Odd-Eyes Skater began spinning towards Battleguard Gladiator, but the Sledgehammer wouldn't allow it. "I activate the Action card, Evasion!" The bulky man called out as he held up the Action card with his right hand's index and middle fingers, before he swiped it into his Duel Disk.

Battleguard Gladiator leaped to the left, dodging the approaching spinning Odd-Eyes Skater and landed into the lake of the Action Field. "Oh… tough luck! Evasion negates an attack! And since the battle was canceled, Battleguard Gladiator's ATK Points return to normal!" Nico stated as a red aura covered Battleguard Gladiator, returning his power to normal.

Battleguard Gladiator ATK Points: 1150 + 1150 = 2300.

Yuya gave out an annoyed grunt, before he looked at his hand and saw his last two cards in hand. He picked up one of them with his right hand, before he slotted it into his Duel Disk. "I'll end my turn with a face down!" Yuya declared his turn over as a face down card appeared in front of him. Odd-Eyes Skater ceased spinning and returned to Yuya's side.

(Music end)

Sledgehammer Life Points: 3600/ Number of cards in hand: 0.

"My turn!" Sledgehammer called out as he drew his card in a dramatic fashion, taking a moment to look at the card, before he added it to his hand. He turned his head left and right, before he saw an Action card at the top of a pillar. "There! An Action card! Battleguard Gladiator, knock that pillar down!" Sledgehammer called out to his Xyz Monster, getting Battleguard Gladiator's attention as he turned around to look at the pillar.

Battleguard Gladiator gave a roar as he charged forward and rammed into the pillar, making it shake from the impact and causing the Action card to fall off and head towards the Sledgehammer. Yuya saw this, but didn't try to stop the Action card from getting into his opponent's hands. Instead, he turned around and began running up a rocky staircase up to the stone circle with Odd-Eyes Skater floating after him.

The Sledgehammer caught the card with his right hand and looked at it. Seeing what it was made the bulky man smirk, before he turned to look up at his opponent as Yuya made it to the stone circle. "Battleguard Gladiator, take out that skater!" The Sledgehammer commanded his Xyz Monster, pointing towards Odd-Eyes Skater with his left hand's index finger, while he kept a hold of his card with his middle, ring and pinkie fingers. Battleguard Gladiator let out a roar as it turned around, before he leaped high into the air.

"The Sledgehammer is picking a fight he can't win! Yuya's skater just barely has more points than his gladiator!" Nico called out on his microphone in surprise, which was shared by almost everyone in the stadium watching the duel. "I can win this fight with this card! The Action Spell, Assault!" The Sledgehammer called out as he held the Action card out, before it began glowing. "An attacking monster I control gains 600 ATK Points for the battle!" The 'champion' explained the Action Spell's effect as a white aura surrounded the charging Battleguard Gladiator.

Battleguard Gladiator ATK Points: 2300 + 600 = 2900.

"Your Battleguard Gladiator may be stronger now, but Odd-Eyes Skater isn't going anywhere! I play my Trap card, Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!" Yuya called out, holding up his right hand's index and middle fingers up, before he tapped his Duel Disk's screen. His face down card reappeared on his left, before it lifted itself up and was revealed to be Scrap-Iron Scarecrow. The Trap card glowed as the scarecrow came out and shot out towards Battleguard Gladiator.

The iron scarecrow slammed into Battleguard Gladiator's head, the force of the impact pushing them both back and making the Sledgehammer widen his eyes in surprise. The Xyz Monster took a few steps back, its right hand placed on its head. The iron scarecrow returned to Yuya's Trap card, before it reset itself face down. "Not only does my Trap negate your attack, it resets itself to be used next round". Yuya explained his Trap card with a smirk on his face, while the Sledgehammer gritted his teeth.

Battleguard Gladiator: 2900 – 600 = 2300.

"I set one card face down and end my turn!" The Sledgehammer declared his turn as he picked up his card and slotted it into his Duel Disk. A face down card appeared in front of him, before it disappeared and he took off.

Yuya Life Points: 4900/ Number of cards in hand: 1.

In the audience, Rin turned to look at Yusei with a smile on her face. "You were right about giving that card to Yuya. In an Action Duel, it's a good backup plan in case someone doesn't have an Action card". The Witch of the Wind said to her adoptive father, getting Yusei and Lulu to look at her. "Actually Rin, Yuya asked Yusei for a copy of a card of his. He wanted a card that always reminded him of Dad, and about the lessons he learned". The Mistress of Birds told her sister, getting Rin to look at her in surprise, before she turned to look up at Yusei, who nodded to confirm Lulu's words.

He turned to look back at the Duel and saw Yuya moving his right hand to the top card of his deck. "I gave Yuya a card that would help him out in both normal Duels, and in Action Duels. I figured Scrap-Iron Scarecrow was the best choice, so I gave it to him. Scrap-Iron Scarecrow represents one of the lessons I taught him that even the tiniest scarp has valor". The Shooting Star of Satellite told the two teenage girls as he watched his student with a proud smile, getting Lulu and Rin to smile at him, before they turned to look back down at the Duel.

"I draw!" Yuya called out as he drew his card with his right hand's index, middle and thumb fingers and held it in front of him. He narrowed his eyes in curiosity at seeing what it was, before he added his new card to his hand. "Let's try this one more time! Skater, attack Battleguard Gladiator!" Yuya called out, thrusting out his open right hand to the Xyz Monster. Skater shot out towards with her hair and scarf blowing in the breeze. "And just like before, Battleguard Gladiator's ATK Points are cut in half!" The tomato hair styled boy reminded his opponent as a blue aura appeared over Battleguard Gladiator.

Battleguard Gladiator ATK Points: 2300 – 1150 = 1150.

"Go Skating Slice Attack!" Yuya called out as Odd-Eyes Skater held up her hands in front of her face, her blades gleaming for a moment. Once she was close enough, Odd-Eyes Skater swiped her hands out, slicing through Battleguard Gladiator in an x shape slash, causing the Xyz Monster to explode. (2400 – 1150 = 1250)

Sledgehammer Life Points: 3600 – 1250 = 2350.

"Oh, talk about the humanity! Despite his best efforts, the gladiator lost to the skater!" Nico called out on his microphone with a wide smile on his face. The crowd cheered for Yuya, getting the teenage boy to smile at their cheers, before he turned to look back at the Sledgehammer, who was on the other side of the Action field. "I'll end my turn here!" Yuya declared his turn over, having nothing else to do.

Sledgehammer Life Points: 2350/ Number of cards in hand: 0.

"The Sledgehammer won't be going out that easily! I draw!" The bulky man exclaimed as he drew his card in a dramatic fashion with his right hand's index and middle fingers. Upon seeing what it was, Sledgehammer smirked as he played it right away. "I Summon the Tuner Monster, Battleguard Protector!" The Sledgehammer called out, swiping the card onto his Duel Disk's blade.

A portal appeared, before a white skin Battleguard monster appeared. It had yellow spiky hair, blue eyes, was wearing gray armor and held a massive shield with both its hands. The new monster let out a cry as it fell into the river.

(Battleguard Protector/ Level: 2/ Attribute: Earth/ Type: Warrior/ Tuner/ Effect/ ATK Points: 800/ DEF Points: 400/ Effect: If this card is the only monster you control when you Normal Summon it, you can select one Warrior-Type monster in your Graveyard, Special Summon it to your field in DEF Mode. If this card is used a Synchro Material for a 'Battleguard' Synchro Monster, that monster cannot be destroy in battle once.)

"That's a Tuner Monster!" Yuya said in realization, having a good idea what the Sledgehammer was planning next. "When Battleguard Protector is the only monster I control when I Summon it, I can Special Summon a Warrior-Type monster from the Graveyard in DEF Mode!" The Sledgehammer explained his monster's special ability as a card slotted out of his Duel Disk, which he took hold of with his right hand's index, middle and thumb fingers. "I bring back Boulder Battleguard!" The bulky man exclaimed, before he placed the card on the blade. Battleguard Protector's giant shield gleamed brightly, before Boulder Battleguard came out of it and landed besides his fellow Warrior-Type monster.

Boulder Battleguard DEF Points: 1000/ Level: 4.

"But he won't be sticking around for long! Level 2 Battleguard Protector tunes with Level 4 Boulder Battleguard!" The Sledgehammer called out to the heavens as Boulder Battleguard jumped into the air, while Protector transformed into 2 green rings that chased after him. "A Synchro Summon!?" Yuya called out in surprise, even thought he knew that the Sledgehammer could do it before the duel began.

"Surprised? Well don't be!" The bulky man told his opponent as the two rings circled around Boulder Battleguard, scanning him with the Warrior-Type monster turning orange transparent, before turning into 4 lights. The lights lined up within the green rings, before a bright beam appeared and absorbed the lights and rings.

"I Synchro Summon! Battleguard Knight!" The Sledgehammer called out as the bright beam cleared to reveal his new monster. It was a dark blue skin wearing dark gray plus size armor like a knight that covered his body. His gauntlets were shaped as claws instead of normal fingers. He had a jet black cape around his shoulders that reached the ground, a short sword and greatsword strapped to the front of his armor. On his shoulders, he had pauldrons. He had a great helm on his head that showed his yellow beast eyes. The new monster drew his greatsword from its scabbard attached to its chest with both his hands, before he swung it down, creating a powerful gust of wind.

(Battleguard Knight/ Level: 6/ Attribute: Earth/ Type: Warrior/ Synchro/ Effect/ ATK Points: 2800/ DEF Points: 1600/ Effect: This card cannot be targeted by Spells or Traps. If this card declares an attack on a Special Summon monster your opponent controls, it gains 200 ATK Points for every 'Battleguard' monster you control.)

"Things are getting hot up in here! The Sledgehammer has now Synchro Summoned his ace Synchro Monster!" Nico called out with a grin on his face. "Battleguard Knight, attack Odd-Eyes Skater!" Sledgehammer commanded his Synchro Monster, swiping his left hand out and pointing towards Yuya's Synchro Monster with his index finger. Battleguard Beast let out a fierce roar as it held up its greatsword, before it leaped at Odd-Eyes Skater.

"Did you forget about my Trap card?" Yuya called out as his face down card reappeared and revealed itself once more, before the iron scarecrow came up. "I forgot nothing! I play my Trap, Battleguard Stun!" Sledgehammer called out as his face down card revealed itself to be a Trap card. The image showed Battleguard King stomping on the Trap card, Mirror Force with its left foot.

(Battleguard Stun/ Counter Trap/ Effect: During the Battle Phase when your opponent activates a Spell or Trap card, you can negate and destroy the activated card if you control a 'Battleguard' monster.)

"During the Battle Phase and when you activate a Spell or Trap card, Battleguard Stun negates and destroys it if I control a Battleguard monster!" The bulky man explained his Trap card's effect with a smirk on his face, while Yuya gritted his teeth in slight anger as the iron scarecrow and Scrap-Iron Scarecrow's card shattered into particles. "When Battleguard King attacks a Special Summoned monster, it gains 200 ATK Points for every Battleguard monster I control". The Sledgehammer explained his monster's effect as Battleguard Knight powered up.

Battleguard Knight ATK Points: 2800 + 200 = 3000.

Battleguard Knight fell from the sky and swung his sword down on Odd-Eyes Skater, making her cry out in pain, before she shattered into particles. Yuya used his right arm to shield his face from the shockwaves. (3000 – 2400 = 600)

Yuya Life Points: 4900 – 600 = 4300.

Battleguard Knight fell to the ground, kicking up dust from landing. Yuya moved his right hand away from his face, before thrusting it out. "Odd-Eyes Skater may be gone, but she leaves something for me! When she's destroyed, I can add an Odd-Eyes card from my deck to my hand!" Yuya explained his Synchro Monster's last effect as his deck started shuffling for a few seconds, before it stopped and a card slotted out. Yuya picked the card up with his right hand's index and middle fingers, before he held it up, revealing it to be Odd-Eyes Dragon.

"And I choose my ace, Odd-Eyes Dragon!" The teenage boy called out, before he added the card to his hand. "Ha! I'm not afraid of some lizard. I end my turn here!" The Sledgehammer declared his turn over, while Battleguard Knight leaped back into the river in front of him.

Yuya Life Points: 4300/ Number of cards in hand: 3.

"My turn now!" Yuya called out as he drew his card in a dramatic fashion with his right hand, before he held it in front of him to look at it. A screen appeared above his Duel Disk's screen, getting Yuya to look at it to see the Sledgehammer. "I thought you should know something. Thanks to Battleguard Protector being used as Synchro Material, Battleguard Knight cannot be destroyed in battle once. And another thing, he cannot be targeted by Spells or Traps". The bulky man told the teenage boy with a smug grin on his face, getting Yuya to narrow his eyes.

'That's a bit of a problem'. The tomato hair styled boy thought to himself, before he looked at his cards. He grew a smirk on his face as he figured out a strategy to take care of his opponent's Synchro Monster. 'Lucky, I know just the monster to deal with this. But the problem is that it'll be open for an attack. Guess I'll need an Action card'. Yuya thought to himself, before he held up the card that he drew. "I Summon Performapal Flip Hippo!" Yuya called out as he placed the card onto the blade. A portal appeared as a gleaming figure jumped out of it, before the gleam disappeared to reveal it to be Performapal Flip Hippo.

Performapal Flip Hippo ATK Points: 800/ Level: 3.

The chocolate coloured hippo landed besides its Duelist on his left. Yuya quickly hopped on, before Flip Hippo began taking off down the stone circle's path. Flip Hippo continued running, heading towards the edge, while Yuya picked up another card from his hand. "When Flip Hippo is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon another Performapal monster from my hand! Come on out, Performapal Friendonkey!" Yuya explained his monster's special ability, before he swiped the card on the blade. A portal appeared besides the running Flip Hippo, before Performapal Fiendonkey came out of it, running as well.

Performapal Friendonkey ATK Points: 1600/ Level: 3.

Performapal Flip Hippo then jumped off the stone circle, heading towards one of the rocky pillars and landed atop it. Yuya climbed off his monster's back, before he took notice of an Action card a little bit away. He ran towards the card and picked it up, while Friendonkey landed besides Flip Hippo. 'This'll help later, right now; time to get rid of that knight'. The teenage boy thought to himself with narrowed eyes as he added the card to his hand, before swiping his right hand into the air.

"I Overlay Level 3 Performapal Friendonkey and Performapal Flip Hippo!" Yuya called out to the heavens as both Friendonkey and Flip Hippo turned into brown bright lights, before they flew into the air. "With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!" The teenage boy called out as a galaxy portal appeared in the sky with the two brown lights flying into it.

Lightning burst out from the portal and into the air. "I Xyz Summon! Performapal Traveling Ghost Bat!" Yuya called out as his new monster came out. It was a big white ghost bat, big enough for Yuya to ride on, with black eyes and two black Overlay Units circling around it. Performapal Traveling Ghost Bat let out a fierce screech as it flew into the air.

(Performapal Traveling Ghost Bat/ Rank: 3/ Attribute: Dark/ ATK Points: 2100/ DEF Points: 500/ Type: Zombie/ Effect/ Xyz/ Requirements: Two Level 3 monsters/ Effect: Once per turn, you can detach one Xyz Material from this card, target one face-up monster your opponent controls; negate its effect and send it to the Graveyard, and inflict 100 points of damage equal to the selected monster's Level/Rank to your opponent. If you used this effect, this card cannot attack this turn.)

"Now Yuya has Xyz Summoned a Xyz Monster! But its ATK Points are not enough to match up to Battleguard Knight's ATK Points!" Nico called out on his microphone in an excited tone, eager to see what Yuya does next. Up in the audience, Lulu smiled at seeing Yuya's Xyz Monster, glad to see him using the Summoning method that she taught him. Yoko looked at the purpled haired girl and saw her smile, causing the young looking mother to smile as well.

"Go Yuya! Win and get us that new ARC System!" Skip called out to the tomato hair styled boy, only to cry out in surprise when Zuzu brought out her fan again and smacked him with it. The pink haired girl had a frown on her face at seeing Yuya's Xyz Monster, before she turned her frown on the unsuspecting Lulu.

However, Rin took notice of Zuzu frowning at her sister, causing the Witch of the Wind to return the frown as she blocked the pink haired girl's view of Lulu. The two girls frowned at each other for a few moments, before Zuzu went back to watching the duel. Rin kept frowning at her for a few seconds, before she returned to watching the Duel.

"Your big bat has nothing on my knight. He'll crush it on my next turn". The Sledgehammer said to Yuya, talking to him through a screen above his Duel Disk's screen. Yuya gave a smirk in response from his side, before he looked up and saw Traveling Ghost Bat flying above him. "We'll see about that. Ghost Bat, go on and show your stuff!" Yuya told his Xyz Monster with a confident voice, getting Ghost Bat to look down at his duelist and nod to him.

Performapal Traveling Ghost Bat looked at Battleguard Knight, before he began flying towards him. "By using an Overlay Unit, Traveling Ghost Bat can not only negate your monster's effect, but send it to the Graveyard". Yuya explained Traveling Ghost Bat's special ability with a smirk, much to the Sledgehammer's surprise. The Zombie-Type monster ate one of its Overlay Units, before it glowed black and multiplied into thousands of little versions of itself.

The swarm of ghost bats all flew down towards Battleguard King. The Synchro Monster swung his sword at the swarm, but they all dodged him. He kept on swinging, and kept missing until eventually, the swarm of bats covered him from view. "Now, time for a disappearing act. One, two, three, Abracadabra!" Yuya called out, rising up his right hand, before snapping his fingers. The bats all flew away and revealed that Battleguard Knight had disappeared, much to everyone's surprise. "Oh my! Battleguard Knight really did disappear! Looks like Yuya's got some tricks up his sleeve!" Nico called out in his microphone in surprise, having not expected a disappearing act.

"And the best part is that you take 100 points of damage equal to the selected monster's Level. Since Battleguard Knight was Level 6, that's 600 points of damage". Yuya told his opponent with a smirk on his face as some of the bats surrounded Sledgehammer and screeched at him, making him cover his ears from the sound.

Sledgehammer Life Points: 2350 – 600 = 1750.

"Luckily for you is that Traveling Ghost Bat can't attack on the turn that he uses this effect". The teenage boy told his opponent as the swarm of bats gathered together in the sky, before reforming into Performapal Traveling Ghost Bat. "I'll end my turn here!" Yuya declared his turn over, before he jumped off the rocky pillar and landed on Ghost Bat's back when he flew in for his Duelist to land on.

Sledgehammer Life Points: 1750/ Number of cards in hand: 0.

"Cheese burgers! This Duel has been one intense one! It's gone both ways for both duelists, and the outcome hasn't been decided yet! What can the Sledgehammer do with zero cards in hand!" Nico called out on his microphone, his voice full of excitement at watching the excited duel. The excitement was shared by the audience as they all cheered for the exciting duel taking place.

Sledgehammer looked up at the flying form of Performapal Traveling Ghost Bat as the Xyz Monster flew past him. "The Sledgehammer isn't done yet! I draw!" The bulky man exclaimed as he drew his card in a dramatic fashion with his right hand's index, middle and thumb fingers. Flipping the card over to see what it was, Sledgehammer grew a smirk at seeing what it was. "I activate the Spell card, Card of Demise!" The Sledgehammer called out, swiping the card into his Duel Disk with the Spell materializing in front of him.

"This card allows me to draw until I have 5 cards!" The Sledgehammer explained his Spell card's effect as he began drawing cards from his deck, until he held five cards up into the air with his right hand. "And just like that, the Sledgehammer refilled his hand!" Sledgehammer's manager pointed out as the bulky man looked at the cards he drew, before he grew a smirk on his face.

He transferred his cards over to his left hand, before he took one of them and held it up. "I activate the Spell card, Polymerization!" The Sledgehammer called out as he slotted his Spell card into his Duel Disk. The Spell card appeared in front of the bulky man, before it began glowing.

At the sight of the Spell card, Lulu widened her eyes in fear, before she took a step back and started hyperventilating. Yusei, Rin and Yoko all turned to look at her in concern, while Skip, Gong and Zuzu were too focused on the Duel. Despite the month of peace, Lulu still harbored great fear towards Fusion Summoning, and Fusion Monsters, despite Yusei's attempts of telling her not to fear the Summoning method, or the Fusion Monsters. Whenever she sees Fusion Summoning, Fusion Monsters, Fusion cards or even hears the word Fusion, her mind instantly thinks back to the invasion of her home land and how Fusion Monsters destroyed her home.

Yoko wrapped her left arm around Lulu's shoulders and brought her into one arm hug to help calm her down. Yoko had learned of Lulu's fear of Fusion one afternoon after the two had gone shopping together. They were passing through the park, when a monitor up above them showed a championship duel between two pro duelists with one of them Fusion Summoning. At the sight of it, even if it was on TV, Lulu began having a panic attack, much to Yoko's immediate concern.

Yoko had to take Lulu straight back to her house. Yuya wasn't home as he was in the middle of a lesson with Yusei. After a comforting hug and words, Lulu was able to calm down from her panic attack. The only downside is that Yoko demanded an explanation from her on why she freaked out at seeing a Fusion Summon. Lulu had to make up a lie to not reveal her secret, so she just told Yoko that she was bullied by someone who used Fusion Summoning in her past, thus causing her to have a panic attack whenever she sees Fusion.

Yoko didn't buy the lie, but decided to leave the subject alone as she could tell that Lulu really didn't want to continue the conversation any further. So, she dropped the subject and told Lulu that she doesn't have to tell her now, but when she was ready. Lulu was happy that Yoko respected her decision, but was worried that one day she'll have to reveal her secret to the kind young mother that she's grown to care for.

"It's okay Lulu, calm down. Just take deep breaths; nothing is gonna happen to you". Yoko said to the Mistress of Birds in a soft and comforting voice, rubbing her left arm down Lulu's left bicep to help calm her down. Lulu took deep breaths as she began to calm down, before she gave Yoko a thankful smile. The young looking mother returned the smile, before she looked at Yusei and Rin, and saw their thankful looks.

(Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's - Sound Duel 2 - Disc 1 - 03. Unleash Force)

Back to the duel, the Sledgehammer took two cards from the four in his left hand, before he held the cards up into the air. "With my Spell card's power, I fuse Shaman Battleguard from my hand with another Lava Battleguard!" The bulky man exclaimed, sending the two cards to his Graveyard. Shaman Battleguard and Lava Battleguard appeared in front of him, before they both jumped into a purple swirling portal in the air and were absorbed into it.

"With these two Battleguards, a new Battleguard legend will be created! I Fusion Summon! Battleguard Warlock!" Sledgehammer exclaimed to the heavens as his new monster fell from the portal and crashed onto the field, kicking up dust from the impact. It was a purple skin Battleguard monster with dark green spiky hair and flaming green eyes. It wore purple snake armor with green glowing accents and skulls. It had a skull headgear and skull shoulder guards on its shoulders. (Imagine the Nemesis Raiment armor from World of Warcraft)

In the Fusion Monster's right hand was a skull themed staff with a skeleton's head at the top, only the eye sockets had red flames in them. The new monster let out a roar, holding up its skull staff as it unleashed a bright red light.

(Battleguard Warlock King/ Level 8/ EARTH/ Beast Warrior/ ATK: 3200 DEF: 3000/ Requirements: 2 or more Battleguard monsters/ Effect: When this card is Summoned successfully; reduce an opponent's monster's ATK by 500 for each monster used as Fusion Material for this card. If this card destroys an opponent's monster in battle, Summon a Warlock Token (Warlock Token/ Level: 1/ ATK Points: 0/ DEF: 0/ Type: Rock/ Attribute: Earth) to your side of the field. For every Warlock Token on the field, all Battleguard monsters gains 200 ATK Points. So long as Warlock King is face-up on the field, your opponent cannot target Warlock Tokens for attacks.)

"And it is here! The Sledgehammer's Fusion Monster has finally made its appearance!" Nico called out in excitement, which was shared as the crowd cheered out for their 'champion'. Traveling Ghost Bat stopped in mid-air, flapping his wings to stay airborne, while Yuya looked at the Fusion Monster with narrowed eyes. "This must be the Sledgehammer's last ace monster". The teenage boy assumed, before looking down at the three cards in his hand.

"When Warlock King is Summoned successfully, your monster's ATK Points go down by 500 for every monster used as Fusion Material! Since I used two monsters, that's 1000 Points!" Sledgehammer explained his Fusion Monster's special ability to his opponent, making Yuya widen his eyes in surprise. Warlock King raised up its staff, before flames shout out of the flaming eyes of the staff and formed into flaming forms of Shaman Battleguard and Lava Battleguard. The two flaming creatures let out fierce roars as they shot out towards Ghost Bat, striking the Zombie-Type monster and making it screech in pain as its skin burned. "Ghost Bat!" Yuya exclaimed in concern for his monster as Ghost Bat's ATK Points went down.

Performapal Traveling Ghost Bat ATK Points: 2100 – 1000 = 1100.

"This is not good for Yuya! His bat's about to get its wings clipped, along with his Life Points!" Nico called out on his microphone, while the Sledgehammer smirked as he walked up to his Fusion Monster's right side. The Fusion Monster knelt down and held its right hand down for his master to hop onto, which the bulky man did as he jumped on. With his duelist secured, Warlock King raised up to his feet fully.

Sledgehammer thrust his right hand out towards Performapal Traveling Ghost Bat. "Warlock, reduce that bat to ash! Fel Blast!" The bulky man commanded his Fusion Monster, getting Warlock King's eyes to flash for a moment, before it unleashed a powerful roar. It held up its staff once more as dark green energy began gathering in the mouth of the skull head. Ghost Bat gave a screech, before it began flying off in the other direction.

Warlock King fired a dark green blast from its staff that chased after the Xyz Monster. Ghost Bat flew in low into the forest, which the dark blast followed after him. The Xyz Monster flew past a few trees, while the dark green blast blasted right through them. Yuya looked over his right shoulder to see the dark blast getting closer at a fast rate. The tomato hair styled boy gritted his teeth, before he looked back at his Xyz Monster and saw that Ghost Bat had turned its head right to look at his duelist.

Ghost Bat gave his duelist a nod, telling him its okay. Yuya softened his gaze on his Xyz Monster, before he returned the nod to Ghost Bat. "Your sacrifice won't be in vein". Yuya whispered to his Xyz Monster, before he jumped off Ghost Bat's back and into the air. Yuya landed on the ground on his feet, before he lifted his head to look up to see Ghost Bat flying into the air above the Action field. Everyone watched Ghost Bat fly into the air, before the dark green blast struck him and created an explosion in the air.

Yuya gritted his teeth in rage for his monster's destruction, before he took his Action card in his hand and slotted it into his Duel Disk. "I activate the Action Spell, Damage Banish!" The teenage boy called out as the Action card appeared in his Duel Disk's screen. "Thanks to this, the battle damage is reduced to 0!" Yuya explained the Action card's effect, looking at the screen as it showed his Life Points untouched.

"Talk about cutting it close! If it wasn't for Damage Banish, Yuya would have lost of total of 2100 Life Points!" Nico called out on his microphone in surprise, before he held up a monitor that showed Damage Banish. "Damage Banish reduces battle damage from any battle to 0. Yuya picked it up on his turn that he Summoned his bat friend!" The manager of the Sledgehammer explained the Action card's effect to the audience, before he put the monitor down.

The Sledgehammer slightly narrowed his eyes in annoyance, before he drew a smirk on his face. "When Warlock King destroys an opponent's monster, I can Summon a Warlock Token to the field!" The bulky man explained one of his monster's special ability as a glowing portal appeared on the ground besides Warlock King, before an ancient rune monolith appeared from within it.

Warlock Token DEF Points: 0/ Level: 1.

"If you think you can attack my tokens, think again! So long Battleguard Warlock King is on the field, you cannot select any Warlock Tokens to attack. And the best part is that for every Warlock Token on the field, Warlock King gains 200 ATK Points!" The Sledgehammer explained his Fusion Monster's special ability as the rune monolith gained a dark green aura around it, before it was transferred over to Battleguard Warlock King, increasing his power.

Battleguard Warlock King ATK Points: 3200 + 200 = 3400.

"Oh dear! Every time that Warlock King destroys a monster, the Sledgehammer will get another token, and it'll increase his monster's ATK Points by 200! Worst of all, Yuya can't even attack any of the tokens as long as that king stays in the field! I hope Yuya has something in his deck that can turn this around!" Nico called out with wide eyes at witnessing the power of Warlock King, while the audience watched silently as they realized that Yuya was in a pinch.

The Sledgehammer grew a smirk on his face, while Yuya ran into an open field, before he looked up at his opponent and his Fusion Monster. Warlock King turned around and began walking up to the castle. Once he was close enough, the Fusion Monster raised its right hand up to the castle's bench that the two Duelists were at the beginning of the duel. Sledgehammer jumped from his monster's hand onto the castle's bench.

Both Sledgehammer and Warlock King turned back around to face Yuya, before the bulky man held up his last two cards with his right hand. "I shall set two cards face down and end my turn here!" The Sledgehammer declared his turn over as he slotted the two cards into his Duel Disk. Two face down cards appeared in front of the bulky man over the edge, before they disappeared from view