Kira: "I set a card and end my turn."
Marik subconsciously brushed off the virtual water. Though he'd taken a hit, he actually found himself more interested.
After all, in all his years of dueling, Marik rarely met someone who shared his style. Even though both sides were just feeling each other out, his intuition told him this person might be a kindred spirit.
To have a duelist with the same style as himself, who also stood at the very top of the world—any duelist would be intrigued.
On the one hand, it affirmed his understanding of dueling was right. On the other, it made him look forward to this clash even more.
Marik: "My turn. Draw!"
He removed Vampiric Leech from the duel disk and played a new monster.
"I tribute 'Vampiric Leech' for a Tribute Summon!
Master of darkness, fiend general who beguiles the mind—descend!
—Archfiend Commander, Summon!"
A flash of golden lightning brought forth a hulking fiend, red-skinned and clad in steel armor, crackling with electricity, even its eyes flashing with lightning.
Archfiend Commander, the evolved form of Summoned Skull—same level, same stats, but with a better effect.
[Archfiend Commander, ATK 2500]
"When Archfiend Commander is Tribute Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 6 Fiend from my graveyard in Defense Position."
Marik pulled a fiend from his graveyard.
"Master of dark swordsmanship—Beast of Talwar, summon!"
A green-skinned fiend, wielding two scimitars, landed on the field.
[Beast of Talwar, DEF 2150]
Archfiend Commander's effect let Marik immediately field another high-level fiend, but only in Defense, so it couldn't attack yet.
"Battle," Marik said. "Archfiend Commander attacks 'Submarineroid.'"
The fiend's claw struck down, lightning crackled, and Submarineroid Number Two was destroyed.
"At least that troublesome submarine is gone," Marik said.
With the Roid and Megaroid City combo, direct 1800 damage was a real threat in a 4000 LP game. Delay too long, and you'd lose in a turn or two.
"Set a card, end turn."
Kira: "My turn. Draw."
He drew, squinting, then picked two cards from his hand.
"I set two cards."
Marik was alert.
Setting cards at the start of Main Phase?
Kira: "Then I activate the Spell Card 'Card of Demise'
Draw until I have five cards. In my fifth Standby Phase, I'll discard my entire hand." (Anime effect)
Marik: "Kaiba's signature draw engine, huh."
Instantly refilling his hand, Kira glanced at his new cards. When he spotted one, he smiled.
Finally.
Yes, against Marik, it just wouldn't feel right not to draw this card. Five draws, and there it was.
But he didn't play it right away. Instead, he looked up and said, "If you know my past, you'd know that I started dueling—well, became known—much later than you or Ishizu.
Back when you were already top duelists, I barely understood the game."
That was true—not just for the original Kira, but for himself as well. When the DM anime aired the Battle City arc, he was still a kid playing in the dirt. He knew of 'Yu-Gi-Oh!' but his skills were limited to imitating anime characters with friends, even copying the dialogue.
"Back then, seeing you, I realized the duelist I wanted to become was someone like you.
You inspired me to walk the duelist's path to where I am now."
Marik was moved.
"You—"
He was briefly emotional, at a loss for words.
Battle City was Marik's peak, but also a dark time—his personality was consumed by darkness, he did many things he regretted, hurt many people. Even though the darkness was later destroyed, those sins stayed with him.
But only now did he realize, even that version of himself could inspire others.
The kid who once looked up to him was now at the very top, achieving heights he never had.
So he'd left more than just sin and hatred in this world?
For a moment, Marik felt much closer to this sunny youth.
Well, that lasted about two seconds.
Until Kira continued, "So, let me show you what I learned from you—my ace, my soul!
I tribute 'Archfiend Commander' and 'Beast of Talwar,' sending these powerful monsters to you, Mr. Marik!
From the abyssal lava, awakened—the power of destruction and rebirth—
—Level 8, Lava Golem!"
Marik: "…"
Both fiends were swallowed up by blazing lava, their sturdy bodies burned to ash. The flames devoured them, as if nourishing something even stronger.
A giant hand burst from the magma, slamming down. The burning Lava Golem rose, encasing Marik in a red-hot iron cage.
Mr. Marik probably never imagined he'd ever be inside this thing.
No way—
Marik twitched.
You said you learned from me… and this is it?
[Lava Golem, DEF 2500]
"Of course, having summoned Lava Golem, I can't Normal Summon this turn," Kira said. "But I can still Special Summon."
He pulled the duel disk trigger.
"I activate last turn's set card, Continuous Trap 'Call of the Haunted,' to revive 'Submarineroid' in Attack Position!"
[Submarineroid, ATK 800]
Marik: "!"
That thing again?
Looking at Lava Golem, then at the eager Submarineroid, Marik suddenly realized what was about to happen.