"It's my turn to counterattack, Kaiba! Darkness that pierces the light—Mash Alter, activate your effect!"
[②: While this card remains on the field, during the Battle Phase all monsters your opponent controls that can attack must declare an attack.]
"So she changed from a defensive monster into one that forces attacks… That must be why she has the 'Assault Type' title."
With Mash Alter, who could not be destroyed by battle, standing in his way, Kaiba's arm swung down without hesitation as he declared battle, immediately shifting his attack target.
"Then, Blue-Eyes White Dragon—attack the Artoria Lily in Attack Position! Burst Stream of Destruction!!"
The blazing jet of white light veered across the field, sweeping Saber Lily into its annihilating beam and swallowing her in an instant.
"That's exactly the attack I was waiting for, Kaiba! For it is when the opponent declares an attack that Mash Alter reveals her true power!"
Hoshino Alter raised his hand, activating Mash Alter's effect. The holy radiance of the sword infused the inverted shield, transforming it into a spear of darkness.
[③: Once per turn, when your opponent declares an attack, you can Tribute 1 monster you control; destroy that attacking monster.]
The shield of protection, corrupted by darkness, had become a spear that absorbed the strength of Heroic Spirit, piercing through all.
"In the instant Blue-Eyes declared its attack, I tribute Saber Lily on my field, infusing her Holy Sword's power into this spear of reversal that pierces the light!"
"Ooooooh! This is the spear of murky chaos and corruption!"
With a single thrust, the crimson spear pierced through the Blue-Eyes' skull. The dragon let out a soul-shaking roar as black radiance erupted outward, engulfing Kaiba along with it.
"When Mash Alter destroys an opponent's monster by effect, you take damage equal to that monster's ATK!"
[Kaiba LP 8000 → 5000]
[Maiden with Eyes of Blue ATK 3200 → 2400]
Mana, her watery eyes pressed against the glass partition of the VIP room, gasped in astonishment.
"Incredible! Hoshino actually struck first! Even though Seto was dominating the field so completely!"
Old habits die hard—when faced with Kaiba's familiar face, Mana still often called him Seto.
["Didn't expect it, Other Me. You really had a plan ready. I misjudged you earlier. But that effect can only be used once per turn. The rest of Kaiba's attacks will have to be endured."]
"Relax, aibo. Mash Alter herself can't be destroyed by battle. As long as she's in Defense Position, she can withstand as many Blue-Eyes blasts as needed~"
Kisara's eyes widened in disbelief. "Alter's darkness… it can even surpass the White Dragon's light?"
Because of Mash Alter's effect, Kaiba was forced to order every Blue-Eyes he controlled to attack. Yet even after their combined onslaught, not a scratch remained on her.
Hoshino Alter placed both hands on her hips, seizing the chance to mock.
"Does it sting, Kaiba? Just a moment ago you boasted about shattering Mash's shield, yet now, even with all your White Dragons combined, you couldn't even scratch her."
Mash Alter licked the back of her hand, where the corruption had deepened after channeling dark power. A sultry smile curled across her pale features.
"Not enough, Senpai. This level of battle isn't nearly enough to sate the fire I've held back for so long… Perhaps only your smooth body could do that?"
["Leave my Other Me out of this! If you want something, come at me directly, Mash!"]
Glancing at Future Fusion on the field, Kaiba set one card face-down before ending his turn.
"A fine counterattack, Hoshino. But only one turn remains until the Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon descends. Can you really think of a way to overturn this field?"
[Kaiba's: 1 Hand Card | 1 Set Card]
["As annoying as it is to admit, Kaiba's right. If he summons another monster like Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon next turn, along with Ultimate Dragon, my Life Points will be nothing but a candle in the wind."]
"I know, aibo. That's why I have to flip the board this turn—because once Ultimate Dragon appears, it really will be over."
Hoshino Alter's fingertip slid across the Duel Disk, drawing this turn's virtual card. Glancing at the hologram of her face-downs, she smiled mysteriously.
"This is the second card of my winning strategy—activate the Continuous Trap I set last turn, Wish Come True!"
[Wish Come True – Continuous Trap Effect: After this card's activation, send it to the Graveyard during your 2nd Standby Phase.]
"Wish Come True's effect: Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can add 1 card from your Deck to your hand. Then, your opponent draws 2 cards."
Yugi commented, "A Continuous Trap that lets you search any card? Even though both players can use it, the fact that Hoshino gets the key card for a comeback first makes it extremely powerful!"
Akasha nodded. "But the cost is steep—your opponent also gets to draw two cards for free."
Hoshino Alter continued, "Of course, Kaiba, if you want to stop Wish Come True's activation, you can discard one card from your hand. If you do, I can't search."
Looking at Kaiba's lone card in hand, Hoshino Alter was certain he wouldn't waste it.
"Hmph. I choose to draw two cards from my Deck."
As expected, Kaiba scoffed and drew two virtual cards from his Duel Disk without hesitation.
"Much obliged, Kaiba~ And thanks to Wish Come True's effect, I can freely search my Deck for any card I desire. Truly, Wish Come True!"
Through her AR eye, Hoshino Alter scanned her Deck, plucking out a key card.
["That card is—?! Another one I don't even have! Just how many secret weapons have you been hiding, Other Me?!"]
"Heh heh heh… aibo, I wish you could see your own jealous face right now~"
Having fetched her chosen card, Hoshino Alter switched Mash Alter into Attack Position and immediately entered the Battle Phase.
"Target—the Maiden with Eyes of Blue! Attack, Mash Alter!"
"Attacking Maiden with Eyes of Blue?! Why?!" Jaden exclaimed, baffled, turning to Yugi for answers.
But Yugi, too, shook his head. Even if Mash Alter couldn't be destroyed by battle, the Maiden's effect would still activate.
Sure enough, the crimson spearhead thrust straight into the white barrier Kisara had conjured. The Blue-Eyes maiden, chosen as the target of the attack, shifted into Defense Position and once again Special Summoned Blue-Eyes White Dragon from the Graveyard.
"Just what are you plotting, Hoshino? — Maiden with Eyes of Blue, activate your effect! Descend once more, Blue-Eyes White Dragon!"
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon ATK 3000]
[Maiden with Eyes of Blue DEF 2400 → 3200]
"What I'm plotting? Of course—your total annihilation! I activate the Quick-Play Spell I just searched—Alter · Form Shift!"
[Alter · Form Shift – Quick-Play Spell Effect: Target 1 "Alter" monster you control; send it to the GY, then Special Summon 1 "Alter" monster from your Extra Deck with the same Level as that monster.]
"Time for a form change, Mash! I send Mash · Alter Assault Type from my field to the Graveyard, and Special Summon from the Extra Deck—Heroic Spirit – Mash Kyrielight Alter Counter Type!"
[Heroic Spirit – Mash Kyrielight Alter Counter Type ★★★★★ (Level 5)] [DARK] [Warrior/Fusion/Effect] [ATK 0/DEF 3000]
"Fufufu… Senpai, this feeling—so exhilarating!"
The once cold, aloof aura of Mash Alter twisted into madness. As her Saint Graph transformed, a torrent of darkness exploded outward. The black lance in her hand warped back into a jet-black shield—only now, cruel blades jutted from its edges.
"ATK 0? And you still summoned it in Attack Position?"
Kaiba's frown deepened. Hoshino's strange plays—from deliberately attacking despite knowing Maiden's effect, to dragging Blue-Eyes out of the Graveyard—everything reeked of a deeper plan.
"This is my counter-strategy of reversed defense, Kaiba!"
Continuing the Battle Phase, Hoshino Alter directed Mash forward. Kisara, empowered by the gathered might of Blue-Eyes, prepared to strike.
"Target Maiden with Eyes of Blue! No need to hold back this time—Mash, unleash your full power!"
[Maiden with Eyes of Blue DEF 3200]
"Crashing 0 ATK into 3200 DEF?! Has she gone insane?"
The bizarre move sent both the live audience and the online viewers into a storm of doubt and confusion.
But Kaiba, sensing the oppressive darkness surrounding Mash, did not take it lightly. Even with 0 ATK, his instincts screamed danger. His dueling experience with Hoshino told him plainly: this attack must not go through.
Before his mind caught up, his hand was already moving.
"I won't let you, Hoshino! Continuous Trap, activate—Depth Amulet! By discarding 1 card, I can negate this attack!"
A wall of abyssal energy surged forth, forming a barrier capable of blocking attacks for three turns.
"What are they even doing? One side attacks with 0 ATK, the other throws away a card to block it?"
"Pfft, at this level I could duel in their place."
The crowd grumbled, disappointed that instead of a clash of titans, they were witnessing incomprehensible plays.
Crack—!
The barrier shattered like glass, silencing the complaints. The AR Duel Disk projected the undeniable truth:
"Mash Alter isn't affected by Spells or Traps. Depth Amulet can't stop this attack."
Energy gathered at Kisara's fingertips, releasing a piercing dragon's roar. She met the onrushing black shield head-on.
"Then let's settle this in a direct clash, Hoshino! — Blue-Eyes' power, a prayer shining like the stars, pierce through the darkness now!"
A radiant dragon's soul burst forth, colliding with Mash's shield. Bracing against the impact, Mash's armored boots sank deep into the ground.
[Hoshino Chiyuki LP 8000 → 4800]
"You actually took battle damage?!"
Kaiba's eyes widened. Instead of an effect trigger, Mash had simply endured the blow, reflecting the DEF difference as damage to Hoshino.
"Hmph, that's exactly what I wanted! And now, I'll gladly accept your gift, Kaiba!"
Slamming her palm onto the virtual card, Hoshino declared the true effect.
"Mash Alter's special ability! — When this card battles an opponent's monster and I take battle damage: all monsters your opponent controls with original ATK less than the damage taken are destroyed!"
"Ooooohhh!!"
Mash's black shield absorbed the Blue-Eyes soul, then unleashed a storm of catastrophic energy skyward.
"—Absorb all wounds, overturn all ruinous endings! Manifest—Ideal City of Shattered Tempest!!"
Like a meteor storm, the dark energy cascaded down, engulfing Kaiba's field without mercy.
The 3200 damage dealt by Maiden now reversed—any monster with original ATK lower than 3200 was destroyed.
And Kaiba's strongest monster on the field? Only Blue-Eyes White Dragon, with 3000 ATK.
"So that was your plan, Hoshino…" Kaiba grit his teeth. "You deliberately attacked Kisara first, just to force out Blue-Eyes, increase your monster count, and raise United We Stand's bonus."
"Exactly, Kaiba! This is my grand counterattack—Mash's strike to wipe out your Blue-Eyes in one blow!"
[Blue-Eyes White Dragon ×2 — Destroyed]
[Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon — Destroyed]
[Maiden with Eyes of Blue — Destroyed]