"It's my turn first, draw a card."
Youyu got the first move.
"Activate the Magic Card - Polymerization from my hand." Youyu started with a classic move reminiscent of Judai, "Fusion of 'Elemental Hero Featherman' and 'Elemental Hero Burstinatrix' from my hand.
Fusion Summon! Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!"
Featherman and Burstinatrix, the hardworking heroes who first appeared in the animation, both appeared, transforming into green and red lights respectively, merging into the vortex in mid-air. A beam of light, accompanied by a transparent storm, descended on the ground. Flames burst open the beam, and the hero with a single white wing and green body appeared with a clear shout.
[Elemental Hero Flame Wingman, ATK 2100]
Sakura slightly parted her lips: "Starting with an advanced Fusion Hero…"
Flame Wingman was now a well-known hero, and there was even a statue of him in Kaiba Land's "Hero Square," attracting fans due to its handsome appearance.
"Set two cards, end the turn."
Sakura quickly collected her thoughts.
Mr. Youyu is…serious.
This made her happy, as if she felt valued.
To go all out against the Duel King is a dream for any duelist.
So, I must give my best too!
"My turn, draw a card!" Sakura glanced at her hand, her little face solemn as she nodded.
"Great... I'll start from my hand, activating Magic Card - Graceful Charity! Draw three cards, then discard two to the graveyard."
She drew three cards, then carefully picked two to send to the graveyard.
"Next, I activate the effect of 'Rose Lover' sent to the graveyard!"
The Monster Card that had just entered the graveyard was ejected from the Duel Disc in a golden light, returning to her hand.
"'Rose Lover' effect! Banish this card from the graveyard, special summon a Plant-Type monster from my hand! Descend from the Upper Realm—
—Queen Angel of Roses!"
Countless crimson petals swirled as the dignified queen descended from the heavens, wearing a snow-white mask, rose-like wings, a crimson gown, and holding a snow-white sword, elegantly landing from the air.
[Queen Angel of Roses, ATK 2400]
"Coming right in with a 2400 attack monster... you're not bad either." Youyu smiled with approval.
Sakura blushed slightly at the praise.
Summoning such a powerful monster in the first turn did give her a bit of pride, yet she didn't forget the main task.
"Enter battle, I'm coming for you too, Mr. Youyu!" she said, "Queen Angel of Roses, attack Elemental Hero Flame Wingman!"
The Rose Queen rushed forward, leaving a trail of flowers behind her. The white sword cut through the air towards the hero, aiming directly at his face.
"Activate the Set Card, Trap Card - Wall of Disruption," said Youyu. "Reduce the attack of all attack position monsters on the opponent's field by 800 points times the number of their monsters."
A transparent, wave-like barrier appeared, creating a buffer zone between Flame Wingman and Rose Queen. The Rose Queen would have to cut through this defense, significantly weakening her strength...
...Or so it should have been.
However, the Rose Queen charged directly into the barrier as if it wasn't there. A faint red energy enveloped her body, and with its protection, the barrier couldn't affect her in the slightest.
"It's useless, Mr. Youyu." Sakura said with a hint of smugness, "A Plant-Type monster summoned by the effect of 'Rose Lover' is unaffected by the opponent's Trap Card effects this turn."
The white sword unobstructedly slashed out, cutting through the hero's body horizontally. He let out a muffled grunt, and with a "boom," exploded into fragments.
[Youyu, LP 4000 → LP 3700]
Youyu took the damage calmly and nodded: "A beautiful attack."
"I'll add two Set Cards, end my turn."
Ending her turn, Sakura let out a long sigh of relief.
She was quite satisfied with her performance this turn. If ten points were the highest, she believed she deserved at least eight.
"Then it's my turn," Youyu said, "Magic Card - Pot of Greed, draw two cards from the deck. Next, I summon 'Elemental Hero Solidman'."
Clad in steel armor, the hero appeared on the field, spreading his shield-like wrist guards with a crisp low shout.
[Elemental Hero Solidman, ATK 1300]
"Solidman's effect! When summoned, special summon a 'Hero' monster from the hand." Youyu displayed the next card in his hand, "Special summon 'Elemental Hero Blazeman'!"
As Youyu waved his hand, the Blazeman who had just appeared on the field was engulfed in blazing flames, activating his ability.
"Blazeman's effect, when summoned, adds the 'Polymerization' Magic Card from the deck to the hand."
Youyu added the card to his hand but didn't rush to activate it, first revealing another card instead.
"Continuous Magic - Card of Safe Return!" The Magic Card image appeared next to him, enveloped in a soft golden light as it manifested its effect, "As long as this card is on the field, each time a monster is revived from the graveyard, I draw three cards.
Next, activate the Magic Card - Fusion! Pool 'Elemental Hero Blazeman' from the field and Earth Attribute 'Elemental Hero Solidman'!
Fusion condition: Elemental Hero plus any Earth Attribute monster!
Fusion Summon! Elemental Hero Gaia!"
In mid-air appeared a massive magic vortex. The Solidman and Blazeman flew up, turning into silver light and flames, respectively, entering the vortex one after another.
The vortex of magic power erupted in an instant, a beam of light descended and struck the ground. The earth cracked, and dust scattered, as the steel giant in black armor stood firmly on the ground, surrounded by splintering stones.
[Elemental Hero Gaia, ATK 2200]
"Gaia's effect, when he's successfully summoned, he can halve the ATK of a monster on the field and add it to his own." Youyu declared, "Gaia Shock!"
The dark, massive hero punched the ground, and cracks visibly spread to the feet of Queen Angel of Roses. The Flower Queen was instantly caught in it, with her power quickly seized and absorbed by the hero of earth.
[Queen Angel of Roses, ATK 2400 → ATK 1200]
[Elemental Hero Gaia, ATK 2200 → ATK 3400]
"And then there's 'Elemental Hero Solidman's effect!" Youyu continued, "When Solidman is sent to the graveyard by a magic effect, special summon a 'Hero' monster from the graveyard in defense position.
I special summon 'Elemental Hero Blazeman' once more!"
A vortex opened on the ground, spewing flame. The fiery hero dressed in snug clothing and goggles returned to the field, crossing his arms in a half-crouch to defend the ground.
[Elemental Hero Blazeman, DEF 1800]
"Next is the effect of 'Continuous Magic - Card of Safe Return'!" As Youyu waved his hand, the green Magic Card radiated a brilliant golden light next to him, "Since a monster was revived from the graveyard, I draw three cards from my deck!"
Sakura watched Youyu's series of moves in awe, her little face full of astonishment: "Mr. Youyu, you're amazing..."
In response, Youyu feigned a demeanor of nonchalance, though internally he felt somewhat flattered.
After all, men are often vain, liking to hear compliments from women.
Especially ones like "You were great last night"… (referring to the duel)