"Don't get cocky, Duel King," Mello said. "I activate Elemental HERO Prisma's effect! Once per turn, by revealing 1 Fusion Monster to your opponent, I can send 1 monster listed as a material on that Fusion Monster from my Deck to the GY. Then, until the End Phase, Prisma's name is treated as the sent monster's!"
Mello revealed a Fusion Monster.
"I reveal Gladiator Beast Gyzarus! And from my Deck, I send 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari,' a listed material, to the GY."
His Deck resolved. He pulled Bestiari, showed it, and sent it to the GY. Prisma's arm panels opened; its crystal body refracted prismatic light, projecting the silhouette of a Gladiator Beast onto its clear frame.
"This turn, Prisma is treated as 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari.'"
Mello showed another card in hand.
"And when I control a 'Gladiator Beast,' this card can Special Summon itself from my hand unconditionally. Come—'Test Tiger!'"
A small tiger leapt onto the field, dressed in vivid colors.
[Test Tiger, ATK 600]
Test Tiger was a major boost when released, loosening the GB engine's reliance on actual battle to function.
Prisma's inclusion served the same idea. Prisma-Gladiator was once a top meta build, because Prisma's ability effectively fetched any GB from the Deck without needing battle.
Of course, in reality, a key reason the build was so strong was that Prisma was buffed to Level 4. If it were the anime's Level 5 needing a tribute, that'd be… rough.
"Test Tiger's second effect," Mello said. "Tribute this card to target 1 'Gladiator Beast' I control; return it to the Deck, then Special Summon any 'Gladiator Beast' from my Deck."
The tiger let out a low growl, then dissolved into golden motes.
"I tribute Test Tiger, then return the 'Elemental HERO Prisma' that's treated as 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' to the Deck!"
The image of Bestiari flickered across Prisma's crystal facets; a green whirlwind wrapped the HERO, spiraling it back into Mello's Deck.
"From my Deck, I Special Summon 'Gladiator Beast Darius!'"
As named, a humanoid horse in heavy armor arrived, long tail swishing behind it.
[Gladiator Beast Darius, ATK 1700]
"Darius's effect: When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a 'Gladiator Beast,' I can Special Summon 1 'Gladiator Beast' from my GY, but its effects are negated."
A green cyclone burst from Mello's GY onto his field—the Bestiari he'd just sent with Prisma.
"Return, Gladiator Beast Bestiari!"
Invisible wind blades sliced the air; metal turbine wings took form. The avian GB appeared in the storm.
[Gladiator Beast Bestiari, ATK 1500]
"Then I return 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' and 'Gladiator Beast Darius' to the Deck to contact fuse!"
Mello barked the call.
"Ancient raptor warrior, merge with the soul of the arena and become a seasoned champion! Descend now—
—Gladiator Beast Gyzarus!"
Fusion materials: Bestiari + any 'Gladiator Beast.' The raptor's turbines spun at max, stirring a green cyclone. The Gladiator Beasts dissolved into the storm. The field seemed to become a distant, ancient arena; the sky was torn by unseen forces. The green vortex howled, swallowing everything, as if piercing through time to ancient Rome.
Steel feathers split the gale. Forged from an emperor's soul, the winged warrior in iron armor swept its blades through the tempest, each cut roaring like thunder.
Gladiator Beast Gyzarus, summoned!
[Gladiator Beast Gyzarus, ATK 2400]
"Not bad," Kira said. "Even with no battles resolved, you still managed to bring out Gyzarus?"
"I told you, you can't bind Gladiator power that easily."
Mello raised his voice.
"Gyzarus's effect! When Special Summoned, destroy up to two cards on the field. I target your Continuous Spell 'Blaze Accelerator' and Continuous Trap 'Firewall'!"
The Blaze Accelerator was the Volcanic core and key damage engine. The Firewall was sealing his GBs from fighting—top priority threats.
Gyzarus beat its wings; volleys of steel feathers rained like bullets. The massive metal cannon and the blazing wall guarding Kira were blasted to scrap in an instant.
"Your defenses are broken!" Mello shouted. "Gyzarus, direct attack!"
The steel wing-blades swept forth, a green storm surging toward Kira!
"Managing to break the lockdown and summon your ace under such unfavorable conditions—truly the power of Gladiators.
"But…"
Kira's smile turned knowing.
"How will you handle the next layer of lockdown?"
"What?"
Kira snapped his fingers.
"Continuous Trap 'Gravity Bind'—as long as this card remains on the field, Level 4 or higher monsters cannot attack!"
Mello: "…"
A gravity wave pulsed out, pinning Gyzarus to the ground mid-lunge. Even the green storm unraveled under the crushing weight and vanished.
Mello's mouth twitched.
He should've expected it.
Gravity Bind was one of Kira's classic lockdown traps. If he was going full stall-burn, of course he'd pack the grandfather of self-locking.
"What's wrong? You finally summoned Gyzarus—aren't you going to attack?"
Kira asked with a squinting smile.
Mello snorted heavily.
"I set 1 and end my turn."
...
2 Bonus chapter at 500 PS