Shell was wrapped in dark blue flames, and the Orichalcos Sigil on his forehead shone brightly. For a moment, he looked as if he were swallowed by black fire.
"Die!"
The giant insect charged at full speed, far faster than its huge body suggested. Its massive shadow swept toward Judai Yuki, and its foul, gaping jaws opened as if to swallow him whole.
Before Judai Yuki could move, Yugen pulled a card from his hand.
"I activate a Trap Card from my hand, Magic Cylinder!"
Judai Yuki froze in shock.
Shell's eyes widened.
The image of a Trap Card appeared, and Magic Cylinder manifested in front of Judai Yuki. Shell stared in disbelief. "A Trap from the hand?"
"One of the set cards destroyed by 'Demise, King of Armageddon' was the Trap Card 'Cross Counter Trap.'" Yugen Do explained. "If this card is sent to the Graveyard by an opponent's effect, you can activate it from your hand once that turn." (Anime-Original Card)
Shell's face twisted. "Another trap?"
He had already cleared the Back Row once with Nephthys the Preserver and wiped the entire field twice with Demise, King of Armageddon. Yet there was still another layer waiting.
The first layer had been the double defense of Mirror Force and Mirror Force set by Yugen and Judai Yuki. But beneath that, Yugen had hidden a replacement trap that triggered when destroyed.
After blasting everything away twice, anyone would assume the field was clean. He never expected a third trap hidden in hand.
Until now, Shell's anger had been focused on Judai Yuki. Only now did he turn to glare at Yugen.
Traps within traps, and another one on top of that. How many holes had this kid dug?
"Yugen, that's awesome!" Judai Yuki gave him a thumbs up. "If that hit, he'd be finished!"
Shell, LP 1500 Doom Dozer, ATK 3300
"Not so fast!" Shell shouted. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell 'Mystical Space Typhoon' from my hand! I tribute one monster I control and gain Life Points equal to its ATK or DEF! I tribute Doom Dozer and recover Life Points!"
A massive black wok appeared over roaring flames. Doom Dozer fell straight into it and was instantly reduced to energy, which flowed into Shell's body.
Better to consume it himself than let the opponent turn it against him.
Shell, LP 1500 to LP 4800
"Ah, what a shame," Judai Yuki muttered.
He had barely escaped defeat, but his one turn kill setup was gone. Shell shot another look at Yugen.
"So you're the sneaky one. Fine. I still haven't attacked with 'Demise, King of Armageddon'!"
He shifted his focus and used Target Lock on Yugen.
"If you want to protect your partner with tricks, then you can take the wrath of the End instead!" Shell roared. "Demise, King of Armageddon, attack that sneaky brat directly!"
Demise, King of Armageddon stepped forward, each step shaking the ground. Its flaming axe carved a burning arc through the air and came crashing down toward Yugen.
"I won't let you hurt my friend!"
Judai Yuki raised his hand.
"Last turn, because of Yugen's 'Card Destruction', I discarded 'Necro Gardna' to the Graveyard. Its Effect Activation activates! During your turn, I can banish it from the Graveyard. Once this turn, your attack is negated!"
A ghostly figure rose before Yugen, forming a transparent barrier. The axe of Demise, King of Armageddon slammed into it, and blue flames spread across the invisible wall.
"Last turn's Card Destruction had that kind of setup too?" Shell clicked his tongue.
He had paid heavy Life Points and even strained his own body to clear the field. Yet his killing combo had dealt zero damage and almost cost him everything.
Were these two really students?
Shell frowned. For the first time, he questioned whether taking on two opponents alone had been overconfident.
Were students from Duel Academy really this strong now?
Yugen smiled and nodded at Judai Yuki. "Thanks."
"Friends help each other. Besides, you protected me first." Judai Yuki grinned and rubbed his nose.
Seeing that only made Shell more irritated.
"Still chatting about friendship? Fine. Let's see how long you last." He activated a Spell Card. "I play 'Treasures of Buried Spells.' I banish three Spell Cards from my Graveyard to draw two cards." (Anime-Original Card)
Golden light rose from the Graveyard as three cards appeared.
"I banish the Spell Cards 'Nephthys Hope,' 'Advanced Ritual Art,' and 'Mystical Space Typhoon' from my Graveyard. I draw two cards."
The three Spell images faded into light. Shell drew from his Deck.
"I still haven't used my Normal Summon this turn. I set one monster and set two more cards. End turn."
"All right! My Turn!!" Judai Yuki slapped his cheeks to focus. "I won't waste the chance Yugen created!"
"My Turn!, Card Draw!" he declared. "First, I activate the Spell Card 'De-Fusion'! I return one 'Polymerization' and one Fusion Material monster from my Graveyard to my hand! I take 'Polymerization' and 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman'!"
Two cards returned from the Graveyard. He added one to his hand and immediately played the other.
"Then I Summon 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman'!"
Elemental HERO Bubbleman, ATK 800
"When Elemental HERO Bubbleman is Summoned and I control no other cards, I draw two cards from my Deck!"
He drew two more cards and quickly continued.
"I equip 'Bubble Blaster' to 'Elemental HERO Bubbleman'! Its ATK increases by 800!"
Elemental HERO Bubbleman, ATK 800 to 1600
"An 800 boost? Still weak," Shell scoffed.
"Don't rush. I'll show you the endless possibilities of Hero!" Judai Yuki played another card. "Spell Card 'Polymerization'! I fuse 'Elemental HERO Sparkman' and 'Elemental HERO Bladedge' from my hand!
The power of Hero releases endless potential. Tear through the darkness of the Rift with lightning!
Elemental HERO Thunder Giant, Summon!"
The two monsters appeared and merged into the vortex of Polymerization. Lightning burst outward as a golden armored warrior descended in a storm of electricity.
Elemental HERO Thunder Giant, ATK 2800
"Elemental HERO Thunder Giant's Effect Activation!" Judai Yuki shouted. "By discarding one card, I can Destroy one face up monster you control!"
He discarded a card.
"I Destroy 'Demise, King of Armageddon'!"
Thunder Giant hurled a spear of golden lightning at the demonic king.
"Useless!" Shell's eyes burned blue. "I activate my Trap Card, 'Darkness of Atonement'! When a card would be Destroyed, I negate that effect and send a Level 3 or lower DARK monster from my Deck to the Graveyard!"
Black mist rose and blocked the attack. The lightning shattered against it in bursts of gold.
"Demise, King of Armageddon is invincible, and strengthened by The Seal of Orichalcos. Its ATK is now 2900. Your Polymerization Hero can't defeat it," Shell said coldly.
"If once isn't enough, I'll do it again!" Judai Yuki yelled. "Thunder Giant's effect again! I discard one card to Destroy a face up monster! I Destroy 'Demise, King of Armageddon'!"
Shell was startled. "No once per turn limit?"
"That's right. Thunder Giant's effect can be used as many times as I want in a turn!" Judai Yuki declared. "Go! Thunder Crash!"
Another spear of lightning shot forward, piercing through the dark king's chest. A massive hole opened in Demise, King of Armageddon, and its huge body collapsed in blue flames with a thunderous explosion.
Demise, King of Armageddon was destroyed.
Demise, King of Armageddon, Break Strike!
With the fading of Apocalyptic Archfiend Manifestation and Ashen Banishment, the pressure over the entire field dropped sharply. The strange blue flames around Shell weakened, yet he was still breathing hard.
"So you actually defeated Demise, King of Armageddon." Shell let out a long breath. "I underestimated you. You are not ordinary brats."
"It's not over yet."