"Andabata's effect—after battle, return Gyzarus to the Deck!"
Gyzarus, who'd barely thrown a punch, turned into golden light and flew back into Mello's Deck. Though gone, a ghostly afterimage lingered on the field.
Andabata spread his arms, and the phantom overlaid him like a guardian spirit. His aura surged.
"Then Andabata gains ATK equal to the returned Gyzarus's ATK!"
[Gladiator Beast Andabata, ATK 1000 → 3400]
Though Andabata was eventually printed post–Arc-V, its effect was heavily nerfed. The auto-return and ATK-absorption from allies were cut.
"Now with Gyzarus's power, Andabata surpasses Doomfire!" Mello declared. "'Gladiator Beast Andabata,' attack 'Volcanic Doomfire'!"
Gyzarus's phantom merged into Andabata, whose momentum soared. His blade fell; as it did, a storm of metal feathers—Gyzarus's barrage—rained down like a blanket.
Volcanic Doomfire was riddled like a sieve and grunted. The sword then cleaved down its face, exploding into a fireball.
But when the flames cleared, that ever-burning head and molten body emerged again from the smoke.
"What?" Mello frowned.
Kira revealed a monster card.
"One of the cards sent by the Continuous Spell 'Volcanic Wall' was this," Kira said. "Relinkuriboh. When your monster would be destroyed by battle, you can banish this from your GY instead."
A fluffy little ball floated at his side like a ghost, chirping proudly.
"Kuri-kuri!"
"Tch. But the battle damage still applies," Mello said.
[Kira, LP 2500 → 2100]
Even so, failing to push through irked Mello. But at least he'd finally conducted the duel's first real battle, and his Gladiator Beasts could now operate.
"Andabata's effect!" Mello said. "At the end of the Battle Phase in which it battled: return this card to the Extra Deck. Then Special Summon any two 'Gladiator Beasts' from your Deck!"
Andabata flew back into the Deck, splitting into two beams that landed on his field.
"First, 'Gladiator Beast Murmillo'!"
A spiral of water appeared; a fish-type Gladiator Beast manifested with thick lips and twin turbines on its back blasting high-pressure jets.
[Gladiator Beast Murmillo, DEF 400]
"Murmillo's effect: when Special Summoned by a Gladiator Beast effect, destroy a face-up monster."
Mello raised his arm and shouted:
"Destroy 'Volcanic Doomfire' here and now!"
A high-pressure water blast fired; even Doomfire's eternal flames dimmed under it. With a resentful roar, the demon was pierced and exploded, billowing steam across the field.
Kira raised an arm against the blast. "As expected of Gladiator Beasts—able to press forward even from disadvantage."
"We're not done," Mello said coolly. "The other Gladiator Beast I'm Special Summoning is 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari'!"
Green winds swirled; the avian Gladiator with spread wings descended again—Gyzarus's key material, the pivotal Bestiari.
[Gladiator Beast Bestiari, DEF 800]
"When Bestiari is Special Summoned by a Gladiator Beast effect: target 1 Spell/Trap on the field and destroy it!"
Mello's eyes cut to Kira's backrow.
"That eyesore Continuous Spell 'Volcanic Wall'—be gone."
Bestiari's twin wing turbines spun; a green pressure storm blasted out. Kira's last backrow was shredded by feathered volleys, torn to pieces.
With that, Kira's backrow was wiped, and his ace, Volcanic Doomfire, was gone as well. The Volcanic formation was largely dismantled.
Kira clapped lightly.
"Under an attack lock, getting this far is impressive—well done," he smiled. "Yare, yare, looks like the pressure's on me now. You've cleared me out in one sweep and kept resources for another wave next turn…"
With Bestiari on board, next turn would surely see Gyzarus again, then another round of explosions to clear Kira's field.
And with the Continuous Trap "Gladiator Beast's Medallion" in place, all Gladiator Beasts had the invincible buff of battle indestructibility. And since they were in Defense, the "double battle damage" drawback was negligible; attacking recklessly would just trigger their tag-out effects and feed Mello more resources.
"Seems you get it now—good," Mello sneered. "I said you never had a chance against GB. I won't lose again—not to anyone—especially not to self-styled geniuses like you."
"I've never called myself a genius. I've always thought I was pretty average," Kira said helplessly.
"My turn—draw."
"I activate the Spell 'Graceful Charity': draw three, then discard two."
Kira drew, looked at his hand, and closed his eyes lightly.
Then, as if making a major decision, he stared solemnly at Mello.
"Your Gladiator Beasts are indeed strong—I admit it. Seems this level of firepower isn't enough to beat them, so I'll have to invoke this Deck's true ace."
Mello stiffened.
The Volcanic true ace… so he hasn't been serious yet?
He steadied himself quickly.
No matter. Whatever power it is, there's nothing his Gladiator Beasts can't handle.
With that thought, his confidence grew.
"Is that so? Then reveal your trump card now," Mello barked. "Come at me! A king at full strength is worth defeating!"
"Alright—have it your way—"
As Kira raised that card, Mello held his breath.
Come on!
Bring out your strongest monster—and my Gladiator Beasts will crush it head-on!
"I tribute your 'Gladiator Beast Bestiari' and 'Gladiator Beast Murmillo' on your field to Special Summon—to your side of the field!
From the abyssal magma, awaken—power of destruction and rebirth—
—the King of the Volcano, Lava Golem!"
Mello: "…"
PS: XD