"HAHAHAHAHAHA! THIS DUEL IS MINE, MASH!" Chazz roared, the laughter ripping out of him with a manic edge that didn't quite sound like confidence anymore... it sounded like certainty.
Mash's smirk faltered. Just a little, but enough. Beside him, Lovely straightened into her battle stance, her earlier playful and relaxed posture fading into a sharp, wary focus as her eyes locked onto Chazz's hand. Whatever he had drawn… it wasn't just good, it will be game-deciding.
Up in the stands, the shift didn't go unnoticed. Jaden leaned forward, elbows on his knees, eyes glued to the field. "Okay… what do you guys think Chazz got to be that confident?"
Syrus swallowed hard, his voice coming out thinner than usual. "I-Is it like… some crazy boss monster or something!?"
"No way it's another boss monster." Alexis shook her head slightly, arms folding as she narrowed her gaze. "That reaction doesn't feel like a boss monster. It's probably a spell or trap card. Maybe it's something disruptive like {Mystical Space Typhoon} or even {Heavy Storm}."
"Wrong." Bastion cut in smoothly.
He crossed his arms, posture stiff like he was trying very hard to look cool. "I'm fairly certain I know exactly what Chazz just drew and trust me… It really is the perfect counter to Mash's entire strategy. And no, it's not backrow removal."
Jaden snapped toward him immediately. "Seriously!? What is it!?"
Bastion inhaled, clearly savoring the moment. "It's quite simple, actually. It's-"
---
"He's using {Royal Decree}, huh."
High above the arena, inside the sealed viewing box, Seto Kaiba stood near the glass view, arms crossed as his sharp gaze tracked the duel below.
"Hm? And how are you so sure, Kaiba sir?" Sheppard, standing beside him, let out a polite chuckle.
"Maybe, because I can literally see the card in his hand from up here. Idiot." Kaiba scowled.
Below them, the field sat directly beneath the viewing box, and with Chazz facing away from their angle, his hand was fully exposed to anyone looking down.
Sheppard let out a small, sheepish chuckle. "Ah… perhaps I should've brought my reading glasses."
"That's for short-sighted people, Sheppard. And also…" Kaiba replied flatly, before his gaze shifted, narrowing as it settled on Mash.
"Who, is that 'Slifer'?"
"Oh? You mean Mash?" Sheppard smiled, clearly pleased. "Yeah, he's a fascinating one. I've been secretly watching him after a certain 'Obelisk' pester me to promote him to 'Obelisk' ASAP. His personality is… on the harsher side, sure, but his dueling talent, knowledge and skills is definitely top-tier. Especially that deck of his, even after combing through the Duel Monsters card database, I've never seen those cards before…"
Kaiba let out a scoff. "Hmph. New cards appearing out of nowhere that aren't made by that senile old man aren't new news to me. Duel Monster is always evolving… sometimes in unnatural ways."
"Is that so…"
"But," Kaiba said, cutting him off again. His eyes narrowed as he pointed once more, this time directly at Lovely Labrynth. "How is that monster of his able to move… and even talk like that? Is it some kind of bug?"
Sheppard let out a laugh. "Hahaha! I don't know! But that's what makes her real interesting, right? She's also really pretty, not gonna lie, almost reminds me of Miss Dorothy in her prime.. Hahaha!"
Kaiba didn't respond. He just stood there in cold silence, watching Mash and Lovely through the glass as if scrutinizing every movement.
Then, finally…
"Sheppard."
"Yes?"
"I want you to do something..." Kaiba glared at Mash.
"For that Slifer."
Sheppard raised an eyebrow. "Hm? What is it, Kaiba sir…?"
"After they're done with their duel..."
A faint edge crept into Kaiba's voice.
"I want you to-"
---
[Back down at the arena]
Chazz slid another card onto his Duel Disk with a sharp grin. "With {Frontline Base} active, I can Special Summon another Level 4 monster from my hand! So come on out, {Y-Dragon Head}!"
A crimson, mechanical dragon roared to life, appearing beside the sleek yellow tank Chazz had summoned a few moments ago.
{Y-Dragon Head|4 Star|Light|Machine/Union effect|ATK: 1500 DEF: 1600}
{Z-Metal Tank|4 Star|Light|Machine/Union Effect|ATK: 1500 DEF: 1300}
Lovely gasped from Mash's side. "Oh no, Darling! He already has Z and Y monsters on his field! If he has the X…"
Mash waved her off with a smug chuckle. "Pfft! Don't worry, Lovely! Chazzy-boy over there only has two cards in hand and no normal Summon! Unless he somehow revives the {X-Head Cannon} in his graveyard, we're fine-"
"I activate {Monster Reborn} to bring back X-Head Cannon from my graveyard!" Chazz continued.
"OH YOU MOTHERFU-"
Mash's words died mid-sentence, as the third machine rematerialized in a flash of light, locking into formation with the others.
"And now that I have X, Y, and Z on my field!" Chazz's voice rose, almost triumphant. "I combine them into—!"
The three machines shot upward at once, spiraling together as metal folded over metal, parts locking, shifting, and merging until a massive war machine descended back onto the field with a thunderous impact.
"{XYZ-Dragon Cannon}!"
A towering yellow, red, and blue tank roared to life, its cannons humming with power as it settled in place.
{XYZ-Dragon Cannon|8 Star|Light|Machine/effect/fusion| ATK: 2800 DEF: 2600}
Lovely tilted her head slightly. "I wonder if he'll use its effect~?"
"Nah, I don't think so." Mash crossed his arms, eyes narrowing just a fraction. "Because that last card in his hand Feels way too important for that." His smirk sharpened as he glanced at Chazz.
"Right, Chazz?"
Chazz clicked his tongue, clearly irritated he'd been read so easily. "Tch… You know, Mash…"
His smirk returned, this time edged with something more dangerous. "People say 'two is better than one.' But they're wrong... Because this 'one' is far superior to both VW and XYZ combined...!"
His hand snapped forward as he declared. "NOW GO, VW AND XYZ!!! AS I'LL MERGE THEM INTO A TRUE BOSS MONSTER!!!"
The machines launched skyward again, metal screaming as they tore through the air then slammed together mid-flight, parts locking, shifting, unfolding into something far larger. The torso formed first, solid and imposing, built from {X-Head Cannon}, its twin cannons jutting forward like the barrels of a war machine. Above it, a gold, feline-shaped head snapped into place with its red eyes glowing ominously crafted from {V-Tiger Jet}.
The arms followed, heavy and brutal, {Z-Metal Tank} splitting and reshaping into massive crab-like pincers that clamped with a sharp metallic clang. Behind it, metallic red wings flared outward as {Y-Dragon Head} locked into position its body forming part of the mech's core and pelvic frame while beneath it all, {W-Wing Catapult} extended and reinforced itself, transforming into the mech's legs, anchoring the entire construct as it descended.
By the time it landed, the result wasn't just a machine...
It was a full-fledged war construct.
"BEHOLD!! {VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon}!!!"
The giant mech landed with a deafening crash, striking a dramatic pose as its glowing red eyes fixed on Mash and Lovely like a predator sizing up prey.
{VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon|8 Star|LIGHT|Machine/Fusion/Effect|ATK: 3000 DEF: 2800}
"HAHAHA!" Chazz jabbed a finger forward. "How about that, Mash!? Feeling scared now?"
Mash stared at the mech for a moment… then turned back to him with the most unimpressed expression imaginable.
"Meh..." Mash scoffed. "It's literally a Power Rangers Megazord knockoff."
"LMAOOO~!" Lovely Labrynth burst out laughing. "Scratch that, Darling~ It's literally a super sentai from TEMU~"
"Tch!" Chazz hands furled itself in a fist. "These two…!"
His eye twitched violently before he forced himself to refocus. "Tch! Fine! Then I'll now activate VWXYZ's effect! As once per turn, I can target and banish a card on your field!"
"Ho… And who will you banish, I wonder?" Mash raised an eyebrow, but is nervous on the inside. [Please don't be Lovely!]
"I'll banish one of your backrow! that one!" Chazz pointed to the leftmost face-down.
As if on cue, the twin cannons on the VWXYZ began to charge a blue lightning of energy as it aimed it at the face-down card. With a roar, VWXYZ cannons blast forward, and with a mighty explosion completely destroying {Mirror Force} into holographic dust.
Mash and Lovely Labrynth both shielded their face from the explosion, though they both sighed in relief.
[Good. With {Mirror Force} gone...] Chazz smirked, satisfied. "Now, It's time to go into battle phase!"
Mash and Lovely shared a quick, knowing glance, identical grins forming.
[Losing Mirror Force might be a bit of a bummer… but atleast I've still got {Magic Cylinder} on standby! Now all we need to do is have Chazz to take the bait!]
Chazz pointed his hand forward. "Go, VWXYZ! Use your cannons and destroy his Lovel-!"
But then... Chazz stopped.
Just… stopped.
Mash blinked. [???... What the hell are you doing??? Just attack!]
The pause stretched for half a second and in that half second, something clicked behind Chazz's eyes.
Mash's internal voice exploded. [WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? JUST ATTACK LOVELY! SHE HAS 100 POINTS LESS ATK THAN YOUR DISCOUNT MEGAZORD!]
Chazz inhaled slowly, then exhaled. "Never mind... I'll skip my Battle Phase and go straight to Main Phase 2."
The spectator was shocked, but who is more shocked was,
[WHAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!!!?!??!?!?] Mash screamed internally.
Mash's jaw dropped. "Hey! Don't you want to attack my ace monster!? She's literally weaker than your mech, she's standing right there looking all submissive and defenseless! what happened to all that confidence!?"
Lovely leaned in with a sly grin, voice dripping with mockery. "Yeah~ or are you just scared? you little pussy boy Obelisk~? Ohoho~"
"Tch!" Chazz looked irritated as he clicked his tongue, though it is just that, as the next second he shook his head.
"I'm not falling for that, idiots!" Chazz didn't even hesitate this time, sliding a card face-down onto his Duel Disk. "I set one card… and end my turn."
Mash slumped slightly, clicking his tongue. "Dang it."
{Chazz hand: 0 | Chazz field: 1 Monster, 1 Set}
While Mash drew his next card, a hesitant voice rose from the spectator seats.
"Uhm… not to be that girl or anything, but… why didn't Chazz just attack Labby-chan right there? He has more ATK than her, right?" Mindy tilted her head, glancing between Alexis and Jasmine.
"Hm… good question, Mindy." Bastion, seated a row above, adjusted his posture and crossed his arms, already slipping into lecture mode. "Though instead of guessing blindly, why don't we ask someone with actual experience against Mash?"
Bastion gaze shifted to his side. "Jaden. Syrus. Say you had a monster with, oh, I don't know... Maybe, 4000 ATK monster, and Mash had Lovely plus two set cards on his field. Would you two still attack?"
"Nope." Jaden didn't even hesitate, shaking his head immediately. "Nu uh. No way. Even if there's just one set card on Mash's field, I still wouldn't risk it!"
Syrus nodded quickly, far more serious than usual. "That's basically the quickest way to lose when you're up against Mash. If he hasn't already stopped you with one of his Trap Holes or something like {Dimensional Barrier}, then he's definitely hiding something worse back there like {Waboku}, {Magic Cylinder}, {Mirror Force}… you name it!"
"Well, there you have it," Bastion said, gesturing casually. "No need for some overcomplicated explanation. Mash uses a trap deck. And it is one of the best I've ever seen, maybe even one of the best in the world. He's got disruption, protection, setup, utility, recycling, searching, you name it. It's simple, yet incredibly complex."
Mindy blinked. "I… see."
"Girl." Jasmine leaned in toward her. "Did you seriously forget what happened last time me and Alexis dueled against him and Jaden? Mash turned the whole duel around and beat us in just two turns."
Bastion turned sharply. "I'm sorry, what!?"
"Can all of you please be quiet and just watch the duel?" Alexis cut in sharply, clearly done with the chatter.
Back on the field, Mash glanced at his draw and immediately frowned. "Hm… Wow! this is trash." He flicked the card slightly between his fingers. {Trap Hole}.
[Chazz would probably not summon any more monsters to the field, Just like in the anime. So this card is useless.]
"Alright... Then I'll activate Lovely's effect!" he called out, snapping back into rhythm. "It allows me to set a Normal Trap from my graveyard! so I'll set {Big Welcome Labrynth}!"
With a graceful flick of Lovely's wrist, the Big Welcome Labrynth trap materialized into the field face up before gently falling facedown on Mash's field.
"And with that... I'll go into the Battle Phase!"
Chazz flinched a little, but his expression is still cold.
[Alright, all I need to do is let my Lady attack into VWXYZ and have both of them be destroyed. And now, I'll be able to not only attack directly with Lovely, but also be in a massive lead! Since Chazz wasted so many resource and turn just to get that monster out. Yes-yes! What a perfect plan from the demon king himself! GYA HO HO HO!]
Mash paused.
[But...]
His eyes flicked, just once, to Chazz's set card.
[...But there's that.]
Mash hesitated, Although his plans is flawless, he is still unsure about Chazz set card, [It could be just a Mirror Force or some kind of protection trap, it should be fine since I have another big welcome set up for recovery.]
Mash pused his thought for a second.
[But what if it's another {Magic Cylinder}…?]
A devil version of Mash suddenly pops out and sits on Mash right shoulder, "Bro, I think you shouldn't attack, you're luck today is kinda ass today, y'know? Just chill bro, you got this."
On the left, an angel version burst into existence, except.... it immediately pointed forward like a war general. "KILL THEM ALL, DESTROY THE CHILD, CORRUPT THEM ALL! I WANT YOU TO SET THE WORLD ON FIREEE!!!!"
[Both of you are useless.] Mash mentally swatted them away, only for the doubt to linger anyway.
[Ugh... what should I do...? Fuck it. let's go angel me. We ball—]
But just as he was about to call the attack, his gaze caught Chazz's face.
Chazz wasn't nervous. He wasn't unsure. He was smiling. So confidently.
It was the smug, satisfied grin of someone who already believed they'd won.
"C'mon, Mash…" Chazz taunted, eyes glinting. "You're not actually gonna hesitate, are you?"
Mash's eyes narrowed. "Huh? You trying to bluff me?"
"Maybe." Chazz shrugged lightly. "Maybe not. Your call."
His grin widened. "You can have your Lady attack into my monster, clear the field, then attack directly with Lovely… or you can sit there and do nothing."
The air between them tightened instantly, pressure building as both refused to look away. This wasn't just a move anymore, it was the move. One decision, and the entire duel would tilt.
Mash stared at him for another second.
And then... finally Mash opened his mouth and spoke a single word...
"Nope." He folded instantly, shoulders dropping as he waved it off. "I'm skipping the Battle Phase and I'll set a card and end my turn."
[Devil me was right. My luck is trash today. So let's just play safe.] Mash thought.
Meanwhile, Lovely Labrynth glanced back at him though this time with a solemn expression. Normally, she wouldn't question whatever decision her Darling makes in a duel. Not once. Not ever. To her, every move he made would always lead to victory.
But this time… is different.
[Darling…]
She smiled at him like she always did. [I know that you've been in this world long enough… and with the Labrynth deck you're using, no one's been able to push you like before…]
Her lips twitched.
[However...]
"You've gotten rusty, Darling…"
Mash stiffened.
"What?"
The word slipped out before he could stop it. He blinked, completely thrown off. "What do you mean by that, Lovely…!?"
On the other side... Chazz, however, only smirked wider.
[Heh… he actually bought it!]
{Mash hands: 1 | Mash field: 2 Monster, 4 set cards}
Mash was still stuck on that word, 'Rusty.' It echoed louder the more he thought about it, scratching at the back of his mind. He glanced at her again, frowning. "Hey… Lovely. What do you mean by-"
"It's fine, Darling." She cut him off gently, offering a small smile, too small. "I'm sure you'll be able to handle what's coming next~"
And with that, she turned back to look at the field.
"Oi, Lovely!" Mash called out again, but she only glanced back briefly, smiled the same quiet smile, then faced forward again.
Now a bead of sweat and a hint of panic starts to creep in Mash face.
"…What's wrong with her…?" he muttered under his breath, unease creeping in. "Is it because of that last decision…?" The word 'rusty' kept repeating in his head, louder each time, digging in.
[Dammit… I'm starting to regret not crashing into that VWXYZ…] He clicked his tongue, trying to shake it off. [Whatever. It's fine. The moment Chazz draws...!]
"Draw!"
The sharp declaration snapped through the tension as Chazz pulled his next card.
[I'll activate this!]
Mash moved on instinct, his hand slamming onto his Duel Disk before the thought even fully formed. "Eat this! I activate {Big Welcome Labrynth}!"
The trap flipped open with a flash. "I'll Special Summon {Arianna the Labrynth Servant} from my deck, then bounce my Lady to trigger Lovely's effect and destroy your VWXYZ!"
"Hohoho~! It's over, Chazzy-boy~!" Lovely stepped forward, back to her usual theatrical flair, her silver axe already spinning with eager anticipation. "Any last words before you bow to our glorious victory~? Ohohoho~!"
Mash blinked for a split second. [Huh…? She's back to normal already…? But, something feels off about her...]
The doubt lingered, but he pushed it aside, forcing a grin as he pointed forward. "Y-yeah! Just give up already, you little shit! Might as well save yourself the embarrassment before we Lovely Lock you into oblivion!"
Despite the boasting, Chazz didn't flinch. Didn't tense.
He just… smiled.
"Your win?" he scoffed. "Pfft. It's my win, Mash."
Mash's grin twitched. "…Hah?" His stomach dropped a split second later. "The hell are you talking about?"
Chazz didn't answer immediately. He simply lifted a finger and pointed at the single set card on his field. "In response… I activate this."
The card flipped.
And Mash's heart stopped.
A king standing atop a stone wall appeared in a flash of light, his crimson eyes glowing as it unfurled a decree across the battlefield.
A {Royal Decree}.
Mash's entire body stiffened into metal. "OH SHIT!!!"
Beside him, Lovely only glanced back at him and let out a quiet sigh.
The king's presence spread across the field like a suffocating weight. One by one, Mash's traps dimmed. their effects silenced, their power stripped away before they could even respond.
"HAHAHAHA!" Chazz threw his head back, laughter ringing out. "That's right! I'll activate {Royal Decree}! With this card activated on the field your traps are now useless! And that {Big Welcome Labrynth} of yours?"
The trap card that just Mash activated has blue electricity coursing through it until the card looks darker than before.
Chazz grin widened. "Negated."
Mash clenched his fist, nails digging into his palm.
[Shit.]
…He just got decreed.
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Hey guys, IG here!
Took a week break before, making this at the start of monday next week.
Nothing to say here, I hope you all enjoyed it, Chiao
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