"I'll go first, draw!"
Zane Truesdale's words surprised Syrus. He watched as his brother, a user of the (Cyber Dragon) Deck, after drawing his own five-card starting hand, then drew yet another card, claiming the first turn. "Isn't a (Cyber Dragon) Deck more advantageous when going second?"
Syrus didn't understand, but that didn't stop Zane from starting his turn.
"I activate the Spell Card, *(Time Capsule)*! I banish one card from my Deck face-down." Zane calmly retrieved a card from his Deck and placed it into his pocket, banishing it. "*(Time Capsule)* will be destroyed during my second Standby Phase after activation, and the card banished face-down will be added to my hand."
"Next is this card, I Normal Summon (Proto-Cyber Dragon)! And I activate the Equip Spell Card, (Shield Bash), equipping it to (Proto-Cyber Dragon)!"
On Zane's field, the prototype of (Cyber Dragon)—(Proto-Cyber Dragon)—appeared, connected by cables. After equipping the (Shield Bash) Equip Card, its Attack Points increased.
[(Proto-Cyber Dragon) → (Cyber Dragon)] [ATK 1100 → 2100]
"(Proto-Cyber Dragon) is an incomplete (Cyber Dragon). If (Cyber Dragon) is a recognized 'Cyber Style' apprentice, then (Proto-Cyber Dragon) is like an apprentice such as yourself, Syrus, who hasn't received approval. This card is more suitable for dueling you."
After entering the duel, despite his inner anger, Zane still calmed himself down to "respect the duel" and "respect the opponent," just as before. However, the duel with Chumley had somewhat affected him, leading him to take the first turn.
"While (Proto-Cyber Dragon) is face-up on the field, its card name is treated as (Cyber Dragon). Although its Attack Points are not as high as a complete (Cyber Dragon), (Shield Bash) is a card that can only be equipped to a Normal Summoned monster. It increases (Proto-Cyber Dragon)'s Attack Points by 1000 and makes any battle damage I take from it become 0."
"That means (Proto-Cyber Dragon) is almost equivalent to a normal (Cyber Dragon), so attack and defeat it, Syrus!" At this point, Zane's gaze at his younger brother had shed all emotion. "Let me see what you rely on, what you rely on besides me!"
"B-Brother?!" Syrus was stared at by Zane's gaze, almost freezing, unable to meet his eyes. "I…"
However, Zane had no intention of listening to him. As he said before, he wanted Syrus to answer him through a duel. Drawing two cards from his remaining three in hand and setting them, Zane declared, "I Set two cards. My turn ends."
[Zane Truesdale: 4000 LP, hand 1]
[(Cyber Dragon) (Proto-Cyber Dragon)] (Shield Bash) [ATK 2100]
[*(Time Capsule)*] [Set Card] x2
Zane was furious, even enraged, by Syrus's previous remarks. Not only was Syrus slandering his important "Cyber Style" dojo, but he was also trying to use Zane's name.
When did his younger brother become like this? The pride he showed in front of others just now contrasted sharply with how timid he was facing Zane now. As an older brother, Zane felt he had completely failed in his duty to guide him.
Syrus also felt Zane's genuine anger. Fearful of his brother from the bottom of his heart, he accepted the duel only because he dared not refuse Zane, who was clearly enraged.
Moreover, although he had joined the "Cyber Style" dojo, he hadn't shown any talent in Duel Monsters that could surpass his brother. How could he possibly defeat his brother, who had already achieved graduation from the "Cyber Style"?
I can't win, how can I possibly win this—
"My turn, draw… Huh!?"
Drawing a card from his Deck, Syrus was stunned after seeing the card he drew, an obvious look of ecstasy appearing on his face.
Previously, Syrus's hand contained five cards: (Gyroid), *(Red Roid Call)*, (*Giant Trunade*), *(Polymerization)*, and *(Fusion Recycle)*. Not a single one of them was particularly useful.
But with the card he just drew, that was a different story!
"I activate the Spell Card, *(Terraforming)*! I add one Field Spell Card from my Deck to my hand. I choose this one, (Megaroid City)!"
Syrus somewhat unskillfully retrieved the searched card from his Deck using his Duel Disk, a motion that made Zane frown. The "Cyber Style" dojo practiced drawing cards every morning; everyone from the current Master, Sheppard, down to the newly initiated apprentices, practiced it. However, Syrus's movements showed no sign of serious practice.
He hadn't just joined the "Cyber Style" dojo recently, but he had never displayed any talent. Zane used to wonder if his brother simply lacked talent, but now that Syrus drew a card, Zane understood: Syrus probably never took his training seriously and had always been slacking off.
After adding the card to his hand, Syrus immediately activated it, opening the Field Zone on his Duel Disk and placing the card there. It seemed that this Field Spell Card gave him confidence, as his voice grew louder: "I activate the Field Spell Card, (Megaroid City)! Then I Set one card."
With a roar, a gigantic city materialized out of thin air, rising from the ground. Waterways, overpasses, and aerial routes made it look highly developed.
"Setting a card during the Main Phase seems unnecessary, but my purpose is to use (Megaroid City)'s first Effect. Once per turn, I can target another card on my field, destroy that card, and add one Roid card from my Deck to my hand."
Under Syrus's command, the command tower at the center of the colossal (Megaroid City) fired a laser at the Set card on his backrow, locking it down. At the same time, Syrus located the card he wanted to search from his Deck and revealed it to Zane: "The card I want to add is this one, (Steamroid)!"
"Searching for a Roid from the Deck." Zane's expression didn't soften in the slightest because of Syrus's performance; he remained clearly displeased with his opponent's actions. "But, I recall that even uninitiated apprentices were each given three (Cyber Ogre)s, Syrus."
"That's because—" Syrus started, then stopped, leaving his sentence unfinished. After a pause, he continued, "T-That has nothing to do with this duel, Brother."
"In addition to (Megaroid City)'s Effect, my destroyed Set card—(*Giant Trunade*)—also has an Effect that can be activated!" Before sending the card to the Graveyard, Syrus revealed the destroyed Set card. "If this Set card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, I can target one face-up card on the field and destroy that face-up card!"
"I'm going to destroy the (Proto-Cyber Dragon) on your field, Brother!"
Strong winds suddenly swept across the spacious roads of the city, swirling towards (Proto-Cyber Dragon) on Zane Truesdale's Monster Zone. Although (Proto-Cyber Dragon)'s Attack Points had increased to 2100 due to (Shield Bash)'s Effect, it still had no resistance. Under (*Giant Trunade*)'s Effect, it would simply be destroyed.
That's what Syrus thought. And when he saw the winds dissipate and the (Proto-Cyber Dragon) on Zane's Monster Zone indeed vanished, he exclaimed, "S-Succeeded?"
Seeing his strategy succeed, Syrus couldn't help but let a smile creep onto his face. But before he could fully smile, he saw a light reflect from Zane's field under the sunlight.
Looking closely, he realized that Zane's field was somehow set up with several reflector panels.
"Attempting to destroy the (Cyber Dragon) on my field while searching for a card? You're too greedy, Syrus. Did you think I would let you destroy my card?" Zane's voice rang out, drawing Syrus's attention to the Set card Zane had just activated beside him, *(Attack Reflector Unit)*. "I Chain to (*Giant Trunade*)'s Effect, I activate the Trap Card, *(Attack Reflector Unit)*!"
"I can activate this card by tributing one (Cyber Dragon) on my field! I Special Summon one (Cyber Barrier Dragon) from my Deck or hand!"
One by one, the reflector panels that had combined and previously misled Syrus into thinking (*Giant Trunade*) had successfully taken effect, retracted inward. Like armor, they combined and nested onto the originally exposed (Proto-Cyber Dragon), stripping it of its Attack Points but granting it powerful Defense Points that accompanied the reflectors.
[(Cyber Barrier Dragon)] [Level 6 / LIGHT Attribute]
[Machine Type / Special Summon / Effect]
[800 ATK / 2800 DEF]
"He actually dodged my destruction Effect by evolving (Proto-Cyber Dragon)? How could this happen…"
Syrus hadn't expected his brother to have such a move. He had just thought he could successfully clear Zane Truesdale's Monster Zone.
But it didn't matter. What if it was (Cyber Barrier Dragon) with 2800 DEF? Although his hand initially looked bad, a closer look revealed it was quite good.
"I activate the Spell Card, *(Polymerization)*! I use (Gyroid) from my hand and the (Steamroid) I just added to my hand as Fusion Materials!" Sending the cards from his hand to the Graveyard, Syrus excitedly declared, "I Fusion Summon (Steam Gyroid) from my Extra Deck!"
A helicopter with rounded body lines and large eyes, and a vintage steam train, appeared in front of Syrus. They combined under the power of *(Polymerization*). The helicopter's propellers attached to the steam train's body, forming a shape similar to the famous fictional armament, the "Thrust Wing Hunter Interceptor."
[(Steam Gyroid)] [Level 6 / Earth Attribute]
[Machine Type / Fusion / Effect]
[2200 ATK / 1600 DEF]
"I will also activate this card from my hand, the Spell Card, *(Fusion Recycle)*! I add one *(Fusion)* and one Fusion Material monster used for a Fusion Summon from my Graveyard to my hand! I add *(Fusion)* and (Steamroid) to my hand!"
The cards that had just been sent to the Graveyard returned to Syrus's hand. Seeing this, Zane understood the half-formed smile on Syrus's face earlier after destroying his card.
(Steam Gyroid) has 2200 Attack Points, and its Material monster, (Steamroid), has 1800 Attack Points. The combined Attack of both monsters would be exactly 4000, which could clear Zane's Life Points.
But with (Cyber Barrier Dragon) on the field, Syrus's plan fell through. After all, clearing Zane's Life Points required destroying all monsters on the field, and neither (Steam Gyroid) nor (Steamroid) had the ability to break through (Cyber Barrier Dragon)'s 2800 DEF.
Knowing this, yet still recycling (Steamroid), meant that—
"From my hand, I activate the Spell Card *(Fusion)* once again! I use (Steam Gyroid) on my field and (Steamroid) in my hand as Fusion Materials!" Syrus raised his hand, then swept it down, pointing to the field (Megaroid City) simulated by the Solid Vision beneath his feet. "The monster I'm Fusion Summoning is the true form of this Field Spell Card!"
"With a Roid Fusion Monster and a Roid Monster as materials, transform and combine for launch, Fusion Summon! (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base)!"
As the second *(Fusion)* sent (Steamroid) and (Steam Gyroid) to the Graveyard, the two monsters turned into light and merged into the ground beneath. With a roar, the overpasses, waterways, and aerial guide lines beneath their feet combined and transformed, piecing together to form a gigantic robot.
[(Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base)] [Level 10 / Earth Attribute]
[Machine Type / Fusion / Effect]
[0 ATK / 5000 DEF]
(Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base) looked so colossal, like a primeval giant reaching the heavens, but its stats were somewhat puzzling. It possessed a high Level and a 5000 DEF comparable to (Five-Headed Dragon), yet its Attack Points were an awkward 0, making its massive physique seem wasted.
However, from Syrus placing it in Attack Position instead of Defense Position, it was clear that this monster couldn't be judged by its stats alone; it must have some other Effect it could use.
"Once per turn, I activate (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base)'s Effect! I target one face-up monster on the opponent's field. I Special Summon one Roid monster from my Deck or Extra Deck whose Attack is less than or equal to that monster's Attack."
Syrus picked a card from his Deck. "(Cyber Barrier Dragon)'s Attack Points are 800, so I can Special Summon (Decoyroid) with 300 Attack Points from my Deck in Defense Position."
"Then, I enter Battle Phase! I attack (Cyber Barrier Dragon) on the opponent's field with (Super Vehicroid - Mobile Base)!"
As is widely known, many parody cards exist in Yu-Gi-Oh, such as (Kaiju) corresponding to Toei's many classic monsters, or (Masked HERO) corresponding to tokusatsu shows featuring life-sized heroes.
Sometimes, cards even predate the tokusatsu they parody. For instance, in the box that was supposedly for (*Galaxy-Eyes*) but actually contained a bunch of Insect support, there was a card called (Humongous Hive Hegemon - Zexstagger). I had Jesse Anderson use it before; it was originally a Super Sentai robot combination parody using Insect elements.
But recently, a new Super Sentai team was announced, a Yami Yugi team, and the robots just so happened to be various Insects. Even some of their Insect components matched, which can only be called a coincidence.
Why bring this up now? Because the Roid archetype also has parody cards. For example, (Super Vehicroid - Stealth Union) is clearly a parody of GaoGaiGar, the King of Braves, which had an RG model kit last year. In the manga, there's also (Solid Roid), which has the same Fusion Materials but three different combinations and three forms, parodying Getter Robo.
(The design itself is good, but it was given such a useless user…)
(end of chapter)