"My monsters are all gone, so I end my Battle Phase," Kira said.
Goodwin braced himself.
Normally, after the Battle Phase, attacks are done for the turn. The Main Phase 2 is for defense or follow-up, so defenders can usually relax.
But somehow, Goodwin couldn't.
This guy remained calm, as if this was just a friendly match, even when Goodwin revealed his Earthbound Immortal and unleashed that pressure.
But that calm only made Goodwin more nervous.
"Now that I have no monsters, and you control a Special Summoned monster, I activate the Spell Card 'Card of Adversity.'
If the opponent controls a Special Summoned monster and I have none, I draw two cards." (Anime Card)
Kira drew twice.
"I'm also still allowed my Normal Summon this turn," Kira said. "I summon 'Sentry Soldier of Stone' in Defense Position!"
Blocks of stone rose from the ground, forming into a humanoid golem, who crossed its arms protectively before Kira.
[Sentry Soldier of Stone, DEF 2000]
"Field Spell 'Magnetic Field'—Once per turn, if you control an EARTH Rock-Type monster, you can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower monster from your graveyard.
I'll Special Summon 'Beta the Magnet Warrior' from my grave!"
[Beta the Magnet Warrior, ATK 1700]
"Beta can fetch another Magnet Warrior when summoned, but my deck's supply is empty, so I'll skip that part," Kira said, shrugging with a smile.
"But now, I play the Spell Card—'Monster Gate!'"
Beta disintegrated into energy, forming a swirling vortex.
"Monster Gate lets me tribute a monster, then reveal cards from the top of my deck until I reveal a monster that can be Normal Summoned.
Any other cards I flip go to the graveyard, and the Normal Summonable monster is Special Summoned!"
Goodwin frowned. Another card like 'Reasoning'…
He sensed something was up, but couldn't guess what.
Just like with Reasoning, Kira revealed a handful of monsters that couldn't be Normal Summoned, like 'Doom Dozer' and 'Machina Megaform'…
Kira said his Magnet Warriors were all used up; the remaining monsters were just leftovers like this.
"Finally!" Kira said as he flipped a monster and beamed. "Took long enough! I filtered out half the deck just to see you!
Come forth—Catapult Turtle!"
A former Yugi favorite and frequent recipe card—Catapult Turtle!
[Catapult Turtle, DEF 2000]
If this was Kira's own world, those who knew him would already be feeling chills. But this timeline's denizens had never seen such a thing, so Goodwin just sneered.
"All that effort, for this?"
"Yep, just this," Kira grinned.
"But now, Goodwin, let's see what this can do."
I'll activate from the graveyard—Block Dragon!
A shadowy monster appeared behind Kira. Its colorful, Lego-like body almost cartoonish—just as in the hands of its first owner, Yugi Muto. What harm could a simple toy do?
So far, every card played was something Yugi once used, or a close derivative.
Ever since Yugi appeared to him in a dream, bestowing the Shining Sarcophagus, Kira had found himself growing ever more adept at using all of Yugi's classics and supporting tactics.
Like Block Dragon. Like Catapult Turtle.
Almost as if, across time, he was being aided by the very first Duel King.
"Block Dragon can be Special Summoned from hand or GY by banishing three EARTH monsters from hand or graveyard," Kira explained.
"You can only summon it that way. Never by normal means."
Goodwin immediately grasped it.
So this card, like with Reasoning or Monster Gate, can be easily milled, even sent by something as simple as the effect of Magical Merchant.
"I banish 'The Rock Spirit', 'Gigantes', and 'Doom Dozer' from my grave, to Special Summon Block Dragon!"
[Block Dragon, ATK 2500]
Goodwin clicked his tongue. "But your attack is just on par with Moon Shadow Dragon—and your Battle Phase is over!"
"Block Dragon isn't a monster bound by such boring rules," Kira said with a smile. "I activate Catapult Turtle's effect!
I tribute Block Dragon to inflict damage equal to half its attack—so you take 1250!"
Before his words even finished, Block Dragon jumped onto Catapult Turtle's shell. The Turtle locked onto target, electricity dancing as Block Dragon was prepared to fire.
Goodwin's mind raced. He realized the trick:
Block Dragon can recur by banishing three EARTH monsters from grave.
Catapult Turtle tributes Block Dragon to deal 1250.
Plus, Kira's previous mills—so many Magnet Warriors, Electromagnet Warriors, Berserkion, Valkyrion, etc.—all Level 4 Rocks, all EARTH attribute, all can fuel Block Dragon's revival.
The scattered clues now connected, like lightning across Goodwin's mind. He froze, turnings cold as he realized something truly frightening.
Wait.
Your Catapult Turtle and Block Dragon…
Neither has a "once per turn" restriction… do they?
...
…
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