"Duel!" x2
[Yugen, LP 4000]
[Artificial Human Soga, LP 4000]
"I'll go first, draw card." Yugen takes the first move, "Activate Magic Card 'Stupid Burial', send a Monster Card from the deck to the graveyard.
I take this card from the deck..."
He draws the Monster Card automatically searched from the deck.
"Send 'Assassin Snake' to the graveyard."
Those who had already retreated off-field to watch quickly guessed Yugen's strategy with this move.
"Assassin Snake, that means it's the tactic with Abyss Soldiers as the main force." Hayato pondered, "I remember it's quite an... well not... quite a powerful tactic."
"Indeed, what kind of duel will Yugen show us this time?" Judai was excited, "Really makes you look forward to it."
Marufuji Sho: "Am I the only one who feels that dueling with elves searching for sacrifices is a bit terrifying..."
"..."
"I'll set one monster in face-down Defense Position, and set one Covering Card, ending my turn."
Soga: "My turn, draw card."
The Artificial Human Elf didn't use a Duel Disc, but instead massive card projections appeared out of nowhere behind him, facing outward.
With a swing of his arm, a faint arc of electricity flashed, and a new card fell from the air.
"I activate Magic Card 'Angel's Charity', draw three cards from the deck, then discard two cards from my hand."
Soga's voice was muffled and murky.
"Then the effect of the card I just discarded, 'Artificial Human - Telekinesis Returner'. When this card is sent to the graveyard, select one 'Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator' from your graveyard for Special Summon!"
In the GX animation, Telekinesis Returner had no side effects, but when made into a Physical Card, it included a restriction "Soga Special Summoned by this effect will be destroyed during the End Phase".
But now the Elf's version is naturally the animation one, without such restrictions.
Sho and Hayato exclaimed together: "It's coming out so soon!?"
"Exactly!"
Soga's cold and raspy voice unexpectedly had a hint of excitement.
"The other card I discarded is myself! Based on 'Artificial Human - Telekinesis Returner', I revive through this duel!"
He shouted eagerly, and his seemingly ghostly, semi-transparent body vanished. In just a second, Soga's image appeared in the front Monster Zone, his body gradually gaining substance, as if becoming real.
"Finally! The feeling of resurrection!" He was uncontrollable with excitement.
Of course, this isn't complete resurrection, merely a temporary physical presence under the duel's rules.
But even this brief resurrection experience was enough to excite him, and made him more determined for revival...
"Activate Cover Card, Continuous Trap - Royal Palace Oppression!" Yugen flipped it from the backfield, "As long as this card is on the field, both players can pay 800 Life Points to negate monster special summons or effects involving special summoning, and destroy that card!"
Soga: "Nani!?"
Royal Palace Oppression, a Forbidden Card in modern Yu-Gi-Oh!. But like 'Heroic Warlords' Yugen used earlier, both are regarded as ultimate Underworld cards, though originally unnoticed.
This is apparent from the Forbidden Card list. As an ancient card, Royal Palace Oppression wasn't restricted until the Synchro Era, and formally banned in the Xyz Era.
During Yu-Gi-Oh!'s slow early environment, the card actually had a lackluster impact. Additionally, since it's accessible to both players, it's not entirely advantageous.
It wasn't until Yu-Gi-Oh!'s environment began heavily relying on monster special summons during the Synchro Era that players saw it as a ruthless Underworld blockade.
"Therefore, I pay 800 Life Points," Yugen said, "negating the special summon effect of 'Artificial Human - Telekinesis Returner'!"
[Yugen, LP 4000→LP 3200]
"Ugh!"
Having been oppressed, Soga seemed to have been struck by Celestial Thunder, his form exploding into oblivion.
A moment later, a distortion like a holographic image glitch occurred, and Soga's ghostly image returned to the duelist's position.
Half a foot stepping into the Mortal World being kicked back, the resurrection trial failed, leaving Soga dejected.
"Damn..." Soga said in a deep voice, "Then I summon 'Dark Mad Dog', in attack position."
[Dark Mad Dog, Attack Power 1900]
A yellow rabid dog appeared, furiously barking, mirroring Soga's true feelings after the failed revival.
"Attack with Dark Mad Dog!"
The yellow dog barked furiously, its sharp fangs tearing at the facedown monster on Yugen's field.
"The monster you attacked is 'Skeleton Angels'." Yugen said.
[Skeleton Angels, Defense Power 400]
"Skeleton Angels has a flip effect, when flipped, draw one card from the deck."
Yugen drew a card.
Soga grunted: "I'll set another card, ending my turn."
Can't be impatient. His resurrection will happen eventually, as long as he wins this duel...
"My turn, draw card." Yugen said, "'Assassin Snake's effect in the graveyard, during the preparation stage if this card is in the graveyard, return it to your hand."
Yugen retrieved Assassin Snake, revealing another card in his hand.
"Then activate Magic Card 'Pot of Greed', draw two cards from the deck." Yugen said, "Then Normal Summon 'Abyss Soldiers'!"
[Abyss Soldiers, Attack Power 1800]
Soga sized up the soldier wielding a trident emerging from the water.
Attack Power 1800, less than his currently controlled 'Dark Mad Dog'.
Royal Palace Oppression is two-sided; though Yugen used the card to kick Soga back to the graveyard, as long as the card is present, the duel restrictions are equal.
When Yugen attempts a special summon, Soga can use 'Royal Palace Oppression' to negate.
Yugen's one Normal Summon per turn is used, while Soga's high attack power monster gave his field an advantage...
"Abyss Soldiers' effect, once per turn, discard a Water Attribute monster from my hand to return a card on the field to its owner's hand!"
Soga: "!"
A bounce effect?
If his 'Dark Mad Dog' is bounced, Abyss Soldiers would attack directly, causing significant Life Points loss.
But it's not an issue.
Soga's eyes flicked to the set Covering Card in his backfield.
He set 'Universal Landmine - Broadsword Style', a Trap to destroy the opponent's highest Attack Power monster during their attack.
Counter and expand advantage next turn...
"Abyss Soldiers' effect, discard Water Attribute 'Assassin Snake', to return my Continuous Trap 'Royal Palace Oppression' to my hand!"
Soga was shocked: "Return your own card!?"
He quickly grasped the meaning.
Using Oppression for suppression, reclaiming with Abyss Soldiers for self-summoning...
Meaning only he can't special summon?
Soga started to realize the gravity of the situation, though not fully understanding yet.
Yugen played another card.
"Magic Card - Revive the Dead! Revive a monster from either player's graveyard to my field!"
Revive from either graveyard...
Might...!
Soga lost composure: "What do you plan!?"
"Probably exactly what you think." Yugen smiled.
"I revive 'Artificial Human - Telekinesis Intimidator' from your graveyard!"
Soga: "KISAMA (You bastard)!!!"