[Death Frog, Attack Power 1900]
[Electronic Fishman Gunner, Attack Power 100]
The synchro of the Light Gun was strangled; the invincible Light Gun was forcibly reverted to its pre-synchro form before it could descend. Furthermore, that Trap Card even blocked Yugen's monster summoning next turn, practically forcing him to waste a turn doing nothing.
"An animated exclusive synchro trap, how ruthless," Yugen exclaimed.
Invalidating the synchro is one thing, but blocking monster summoning is too much.
"However, by canceling the synchro of the Light Spear Dragon, it counts as 'Special Summoning a Monster from the Graveyard.' I draw a card from the Card Deck due to the effect of 'Survival Treasure Scroll.'"
"Besides, I haven't fought this turn yet," Yugen said, "Let's fight directly then."
Use 'Death Frog' for a direct attack."
At this moment, Fake Jack's field was empty. Even with an invalidated synchro and no monster summon, a direct hit still hurts.
Death Frog opened its sharp-fanged mouth, drops of dark green venom oozing between the teeth, corroding the ground with a sizzling sound. Its sturdy hind legs suddenly kicked the earth, propelling its body like a cannonball toward the opponent, the bone spurs between its webbed feet glistened with deadly gleams.
"Foolish!"
Fake Jack shouted.
"Did you think I didn't account for such a thing?
Activate Cover Card, Trap Card 'Entry Forbidden! No Entry!'
Turn all monsters on the field to Defense Position!"
Just as the frog was about to touch the opponent, steel fences rose from the ground. Chains shot out of nowhere, accurately binding the four limbs of the Death Frog. The frog let out a "Gugh" scream, its charging stance twisted bizarrely in the air, pulled back forcefully into a defensive position. It struggled with its poison sacs, but was firmly fettered by chains, able only to emit a dull gurgling sound from its throat.
Yugen: "Then first activate the effect of Ghost Frog, once per turn can return a monster on the field to the hand. I return 'Ghost Frog' itself to the hand.
Finally cover two cards, turn ends."
True Jack was displeased: "That bastard, quite tightly defended..."
Upon hearing this, Fake Jack laughed again: "Of course! I am the King, the true ruler Jack Atlas! Not comparable to a soulless impostor like you!"
True Jack was furious: "You bastard, don't get too cocky!"
"Did I say anything wrong?" Fake Jack shouted, "You've lost the position of the King, and the pride of the King, now you're just a jumping clown!"
True Jack: "You bastard..."
But before he had time to say more, Yugen spoke casually: "Indeed, he's not the King anymore. That so-called Duel King was a joke from the start.
Just a puppet propped up by Godwin for his own purposes, always dwelling in the dreams of being a King, truly laughable."
True Jack looked at him in astonishment: "You..."
But then Yugen continued: "Yet precisely because of that, he woke up, escaped that past, and strides toward the future as a proud Duelist.
However, do you know what's most laughable? It's the fact that there's an idiot who tries to mimic the clowish King of that era, strutting around ridiculously and not self-aware."
Yugen laughed and shook his head.
"Jack has long passed that gate, moving towards a new era. But it's you, a shoddy imitation of the shadow of the past King, who is laughably ridiculous."
True Jack showed a complex expression: "Yugen..."
He was recently angry but didn't know how to refute the fake self. Perhaps deep down, he was indeed perplexed, not confident.
Because a part of him thought what the imposter said was correct.
He had already lost something important. He was no longer as spirited as when he was the King, not as assured, unable to face every challenger with the mindset of being "absolutely undefeated."
Because the myth was shattered, even he began to doubt himself. So when the other said he'd lost the pride of the King, it was a fact. Perhaps this inner turmoil, seeing the shadow of his past self in the imposter thus feeling inferior, led him to lose just now.
Duels are often about momentum; especially when both sides use the same Card Deck and same strategy, and their abilities are similar; if one party is internally shaken, they can't possibly win.
But now, Yugen's words rang like thunder, making him suddenly enlightened.
Oh right.
The reason he's no longer the King is because he woke up from the dream. Because he recognized reality, decided to chase a grander stage with Yusei and the others, evolving to a higher realm.
If that's the case, why should he be mocked by the obsolete shadow of the past?
He woke up, but Fake Jack was infuriated.
"You dare look down upon the King?" Fake Jack shouted, "Then let me show you the consequences of angering the King!
My turn, draw card!
No monsters present on my field, special summon 'Evil Dragon' from hand!"
[Evil Dragon, Attack Power 2000]
"Of course, the attack power of this special summoned Evil Dragon is halved."
[Evil Dragon, Attack Power 2000→Attack Power 1000]
"Then activate Cover Card, Trap Card 'Gift of Resurrection'!
An adjusted monster can be special summoned from my graveyard, the effect of this special summoning adjustment is nullified.
Revive from the graveyard, 'Creator Resonator'!"
[Creator Resonator, Attack Power 800]
"And in the aftermath of Resurrection Gift's effect, after reviving an adjusted monster, Special Summon two 'Gifted Demon Derivative' in defense position on the opponent's field!"
[Gifted Demon Derivative, Defense Power 1200]x2
True Jack's face changed dramatically: "Oh no, this tactic..."
"Hahaha, indeed! This is the tactic of the true King, the absolute destructive force!"
Fake Jack laughed loudly.
"Using Level Three Adjusted Monster 'Creator Resonator'!
Level Five 'Evil Dragon'!
Star-Tuning!"
[3+5=8]
Suddenly, scorching air currents surged across the battlefield. The star-tuning monster transformed into crimson and pitch-black beams, spiraling into the sky. Molten-like cracks split opened in the sky, and the burning star rings lit up in sequence, the synchro light dyed the entire battlefield blood red.
"The king's heartbeat, now present to showcase its power! Behold this strength that rocks the heavens and earth!! Synchro Summon!! My soul, Red Lotus Demon Dragon!!"
The star ring burst apart. Through the rain of fire, a gigantic claw covered in lava armor emerged, transforming the ground into bubbling lava upon contact. Accompanied by a deafening dragon roar, the mighty demon dragon tore through space, descending with its expansive wings, each scale shimmering with liquid flame, emitting bluish-white gas from its erect spinal joints as its battle cry formed visible sonic waves.
[Red Lotus Demon Dragon, Attack Power 3000]
"Watch closely, the King's victories are decided in an instant!"
Fake Jack's D-Wheel flipped over, finger pointing at Yugen.
"Red Lotus Demon Dragon, attack all monsters on the field!"