8100 ATK!
"Super-Ancient Dinobeast, attack!"
Loren roared.
"Obliterate Kaiba's Chaos MAX Dragon!"
All the dinosaurs' energy converged on Super-Ancient Dinobeast. The massive power gathered in its mouth, then burst forth as a torrent of energy!
A thunderous roar, an explosion of light. Loren's vision blurred, his mind hazy, and for a moment, the mighty beast merged with a memory.
"…"
"Loren's birthday present."
A man handed a finely crafted toy dinosaur to a child.
The child beamed, adding it to his dinosaur collection.
He'd loved dinosaurs since he was little, with a box full of dinosaur toys. Every time his father returned from a trip, he'd bring back a new toy.
But little did the boy know, that would be the last gift he'd ever receive from his father.
"…"
For a moment, that little dinosaur overlapped with the Super-Ancient Dinobeast on the field, now a vengeful spirit unleashing all Loren's rage.
"Then, the effect of 'Juragedo' in my hand: I can Special Summon it during the battle step," Kaiba said coolly. "And I gain 1000 LP."
[Juragedo, DEF 1300]
[Kaiba, LP 4000→5000]
"Next, Juragedo's second effect: Tribute it to give one of my monsters +1000 ATK until end of turn. Can be used during your turn."
Kaiba targeted Chaos MAX Dragon.
"Tribute Juragedo, Chaos MAX Dragon gains 1000 ATK."
[Chaos MAX Dragon, ATK 4000→5000]
"Still, Super-Ancient Dinobeast is stronger!" Loren yelled. "Attack continues, smash the Chaos MAX Dragon!"
Even 5000 ATK would be top-tier for most monsters, but here, it wasn't enough.
Chaos MAX Dragon's armor couldn't withstand the impact. The overwhelming strike pierced its body, and the dragon vanished into stardust. The hellish energy surged past Kaiba, hitting the green barrier behind him, causing ripples.
[Kaiba, LP 5000→1900]
"Big brother!"
Mokuba tried to rush forward.
Kaiba stumbled but regained his footing.
"Not bad," he said calmly.
Loren was engulfed in green flames, his eyes burning with fury.
"You held on? Good, very good! This isn't enough to quell my anger!"
"But your 'Brave Attack' has a side effect," Kaiba reminded him. "After using it, all your attack position monsters are destroyed at the end of the battle phase."
"Heh, of course I know."
As Loren spoke, explosions echoed across his field: Dark Driceratops, both Babycerasaurus, and finally Super-Ancient Dinobeast, all shattered before him.
Just like his old collection, his past, all burned away.
"Babycerasaurus's effect," Loren said grimly. "When destroyed by effect, Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Dino from deck.
Two Babycerasaurus were destroyed, so I Special Summon two Level 4 Dinosaurs."
He fetched two cards from his deck.
"I Special Summon 'Megalosmasher X' and 'Hyper Hammerhead'!"
[Megalosmasher X, ATK 2000→2500]
[Hyper Hammerhead, ATK 1500→2000] (Orichalcos boost)
"After 'Brave Attack's' side-effect, he still maintains board presence. He must have predicted Kaiba would have a response, so he used Babycerasaurus's ability to keep monsters," Midori commented from the sidelines.
Otherwise, after his attack, all his monsters would self-destruct, and if he failed to win, he'd lose next turn.
"Megalosmasher X is the highest-ATK Level 4 Dino, and Hyper Hammerhead is even more troublesome—"
"If Hyper Hammerhead battles but doesn't destroy the opponent's monster, it bounces it back to the owner's hand," Zane, now back in the audience, said.
"It's the best Dino for clearing threats."
"Facing a monster like Chaos MAX Dragon, to turn the tables and still maintain presence—he's strong," Jaden said, "I want to duel him myself…"
"I set a card, end turn," Loren said coldly. "No matter the result today, this is fate. I've lived for this moment since that day!"
"Fate?"
Kaiba seemed to laugh.
"You find that funny?" Loren demanded.
Kaiba didn't answer.
"My turn, draw," Kaiba said. "Activate 'Pot of Greed', draw two."
He drew two.
"Next, Spell 'Dark Factory of Mass Production', return two Normal Monsters from grave to hand."
Gold light shone in his grave as two cards returned.
"I return two 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' to my hand."
Loren frowned: "Sent by 'Dictator of D.' and 'Graceful Charity'?"
"You're a first-rate duelist, aren't you?" Kaiba said. "At least let me use the absolute power of the strongest in history to finish you. You should be honored.
Activate 'Polymerization'! Fuse three 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' from my hand!"
Three dragons appeared behind him, roaring. They merged in a vortex of white light, forming a tangible storm, with the dragons at the center.
Time seemed to freeze—under dimmed skies, the ultimate three-headed dragon descended in endless light!
Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, summon!
[Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, ATK 4500]
Loren, amid the storm, squinted at the white dragon.
"Ultimate Dragon, symbol of Kaiba's power," Loren said coldly. "Let me crush it too!
From my grave, activate the trap 'Survival's End'!
Banish this card from grave, destroy any card on opponent's field and my Dinosaurs on my field.
I destroy 'Megalosmasher X' and 'Neo Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon'!"
Loren's expression contorted.
"Kaiba's proudest monster, disappear here!"
The trap appeared, Megalosmasher X charged at the Ultimate Dragon like a suicide bomb!