Chapter 169: Master and Apprentice
"Toon Barrel Dragon Attack!"
Having its dwelling book destroyed and being thrown so violently to the ground, (Toon Barrel Dragon)'s face twisted into a human-like angry expression. Hearing Pegasus's command, it eagerly pulled the trigger on (Dark Magician Girl), whose Attack Points were lower than its own.
Although (Dark Magician Girl) resisted with all her might, chanting a spell to counterattack at the fastest speed of her life, she was still no match for the 2600 ATK (Toon Barrel Dragon) and was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard.
[Yugi: 2600 → 2300 LP]
"Then, my (Toon Mermaid)... no, my (Maiden of the Aqua) will Direct Attack you!"
"Not so fast!" Yugi decisively threw a card from his hand. "I Discard (Kuriboh) from my Hand to block the damage!"
"Kuriririri!" The cute furball monster—(Kuriboh)—appeared in front of Yugi. Facing the sharp arrow shot by (Maiden of the Aqua), now free from the 'Toon' art style, it bravely met the attack. Although it was destroyed and sent to the Graveyard as a result, it protected Yugi's Life Points from taking any damage.
Looking at the (Kuriboh) card in his hand, Yugi's gaze softened. "Thanks, (Kuriboh). Take a rest."
Meanwhile, in Hayato's Hand, (Rainbow Kuriboh) popped out, watching its kinsman get sent to the Graveyard. Turning around, it said to Hayato, "Kuri, kuriri, kuri!"
"Ah, don't worry. I'll avenge your comrade."
Hayato's (Rainbow Kuriboh) had been added to his Hand because of the (Card of Sanctity) Pegasus activated earlier. When (Toon Barrel Dragon) declared its attack, Hayato had wanted to help Yugi block it, but Yugi Muto had signaled him with his eyes not to.
"What can such a weak and powerless monster possibly do? I Set one Card, Turn End." Setting a card from his Hand in his Back Row, Pegasus ended his Turn.
[Pegasus: 6600 LP, Hand: 2]
[(Toon Barrel Dragon) ATK 2600]
[(Maiden of the Aqua) ATK 1400]
[Set Card]
"Is it finally my turn again? Turn start, Draw!" Drawing a card, Hayato's Hand was now incredibly full, with a total of seven cards he could use freely. "Now then, the stage is mine!"
"I Tribute my (Performapal Show Dancer), treating it as two Tributes, to Tribute Summon (Performapal Sky Magician) once more!" Hayato Tributed (Performapal Show Dancer), which had safely survived until his turn. "You can't ignore the audience's enthusiastic applause! It's time for an encore, (Performapal Sky Magician)!"
With a "Poof!", a cloud of white smoke appeared at (Performapal Show Dancer)'s feet. It wasn't a large area, but it was just enough to completely envelop its figure. A sudden breeze from an unknown source blew the smoke away, revealing (Performapal Sky Magician), which had returned to Hayato's Field.
[(Performapal Sky Magician) ATK 2500]
"Master!" At its side, (Performapal Sky Pupil) felt a sense of relief seeing its teacher appear next to it. Before, only it and (Performapal Show Dancer) were on the Field. With its gentlemanly spirit, (Performapal Sky Pupil) believed that as a male, it had a duty to protect the lady, which was a lot of pressure.
Although, (Performapal Show Dancer)'s DEF was higher than (Performapal Sky Pupil)'s Attack.
"Next, since a Performapal monster was successfully Summoned, I Special Summon (Performapal Helper Princess) from my Hand! The more the merrier! Let's put on the most magnificent magic show!"
A petite and delicate beautiful girl wearing a mysterious purple dress appeared on Hayato's Field, illuminated by a spotlight that appeared out of nowhere. In her hand, she held a staff shaped like a palm.
However, if anyone thought the petite (Performapal Helper Princess) was a pushover, she wouldn't hesitate to give them a slap with that palm-shaped staff, because the seemingly delicate (Performapal Helper Princess) is actually a Warrior-Type.
[(Performapal Helper Princess) Level 4 / DARK]
[Warrior-Type / Effect]
[1200/1200]
"A circus assistant's role? But, with just the monsters on your field, you still can't defeat my (Toon Barrel Dragon), Hayato-boy."
"Hmph, has your brain completely rusted from not being used for so long while you've been immersed in the past, Pegasus?" Hayato revealed a card in his hand. "Don't you forget, you're the one who personally sent this Card into my Hand!"
"I Activate the Spell Card, (Magician's Right Hand)! As long as I have a Spellcaster-Type monster on my Field, once per turn, I can Negate the Activation of your Spell Card!"
Specks of golden light surged toward Hayato's Field, gathering at the right hand of the strongest Spellcaster-Type monster on his Field—(Performapal Sky Magician)—and forming a perfect sphere that floated quietly in front of it.
"Is that the card you added to your hand back then?" Pegasus finally remembered. When (Toon Barrel Dragon) had destroyed Hayato's (Magician's Encore), he did indeed add a card to his Hand. "And, (Performapal Sky Magician)'s Effect is—"
[(Performapal Sky Magician) ATK 2500 → 2800]
"Once per turn, when a Spell Card is activated, (Performapal Sky Magician) can use the scattered Magical Energy to increase its own Attack. Now, (Performapal Sky Magician) has officially surpassed (Toon Barrel Dragon)!" Hayato raised his hand and pointed at Pegasus. "The time for reckoning has come! (Performapal Sky Pupil), you will lead the charge!"
"Attack (Toon Barrel Dragon)!"
"Hahaha, Hayato-boy, are you sure?" Hearing Hayato's attack declaration, Pegasus was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing. "(Performapal Sky Pupil) is just a weak monster with a mere 800 Attack. How could it possibly defeat my (Toon Barrel Dragon) with its 2600 Attack?"
"But~ even if you regret it now, it's too late! Your (Performapal Sky Pupil) is already attacking me!" Watching (Performapal Sky Pupil) on Hayato's Field charge towards him with a resolute, albeit nervous, expression, Pegasus gave a cold command, "Finish that monster, (Toon Barrel Dragon)!"
"Bang!"
A gunshot rang out. A bullet flew from the chamber, speeding towards the charging (Performapal Sky Pupil). 800 Attack versus 2600 Attack. Under normal circumstances, the only possible outcome would be "(Performapal Sky Pupil) gets shot down, (Toon Barrel Dragon) remains unscathed."
If these were normal circumstances.
"Don't be afraid, (Performapal Sky Pupil)!" As it watched the incoming BB pellet, so scared it was about to shut its eyes, (Performapal Sky Pupil) suddenly heard Hayato's voice from behind it. "Go bravely! We're right behind you!"
As his voice fell, a ring shot past (Performapal Sky Pupil)'s side at an even greater speed, positioning itself in front of the incoming bullet.
Although I personally really like Performapals, and even built a fun Performapal deck in Duel Links, I have to admit that Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC-V is really not good. Definitely don't get any ideas about watching the whole thing. Just watch enough to learn about Pendulums and then get out.
ZEXAL is aimed at kids in the early part, but the later part is not for children.
Although ARC-V is full of nostalgia on the surface, the latter half is unwatchable.
(end of chapter)