"He actually destroyed even (Sanga of the Thunder)?!" Dox unwillingly flipped over his Set Card. "In that case, I activate the Trap Card, (Soul Rope)!"
"Because (Sanga of the Thunder) was destroyed by the effect of (Rush Recklessly), I can pay 1000 Life Points to Special Summon one Level 4 monster from my Deck."
As he spoke, Dox glanced at Para, his brother standing to his right. After receiving a nod of approval, he searched his Deck for a monster and Summoned it to his Field. "This is the one! (Mine Golem)!"
A massive spider monster crawled out from the wreckage of (Sanga of the Thunder). Originally, (Mine Golem) should be a monster hidden within a labyrinth, waiting to pounce on unsuspecting enemies, but due to the nature of the Field, it can only fight enemies head-on now.
However, although it wasn't particularly skilled at frontal assaults, as a Level 4 monster, (Mine Golem) possessed a quite respectable 2200 ATK. Among Hayato's Level 4 monsters, only (Goblin Attack Force) had higher ATK.
"Although I am still in the Battle Phase and the effect of (Rush Recklessly) has not yet worn off, (Armed Dragon LV7) has already battled (Sanga of the Thunder) and cannot attack again," Hayato said, flipping up a Set Card in his Back Row. "In that case, I end my Battle Phase, then activate this card."
The Set Card was revealed. It was the Spell Card (Mirage of Nightmare), a Spell Card that allows Hayato to draw cards until he has 4 in his hand during the Labyrinth Brothers' Standby Phase, but requires him to discard cards during his next Turn.
"I Set the last card in my hand, and my Turn ends." The last card in his hand was (Unexpected Dai), which Hayato had recycled with (Magical Stone Excavation). It was currently useless, so Hayato Set it. This way, next Turn, when (Mirage of Nightmare)'s effect activates, he could draw one more card.
[Hayato: 8000 LP, Hand 0]
[(Armed Dragon LV7)][ATK 0]
[(Mirage of Nightmare)][Set Card][Set Card]
"What a tenacious opponent; he actually defeated the second Guardian God summoned by us brothers? But that (Armed Dragon) you left behind, because its ATK became 0, has also become the biggest weakness on your Field."
"My Turn, draw!" He looked at the card he drew and smiled with satisfaction. The card he drew was (D.D.R. - Different Dimension Reincarnation), which allows him to discard one card from his hand to return one banished monster to the Field. He had previously been worried about how to Revive (Suijin), and now it could be achieved immediately.
Just as he was about to start his Main Phase, Hayato interrupted Para.
"During your Standby Phase, the (Mirage of Nightmare) on my Field can activate its effect." Placing his hand on his Deck, Hayato drew 4 cards and added them to his hand. "During the Opponent's Standby Phase, I can draw cards until I have 4 in my hand, and then, during my Standby Phase, I must discard a number of cards equal to the number I drew."
"Hmph, a fleeting mirage, is it? In that case, I shall become your nightmare." Because of Hayato's (Card of Sanctity)'s effect earlier, Para's hand had been replenished to 6 cards, and with one more card drawn this Turn, he now had 7 cards in his hand. He could freely and lavishly spend them and wasn't particularly envious of the "illusory" cards in Hayato's possession.
"From my hand, I activate the Spell Card (D.D.R. - Different Dimension Reincarnation)! After I discard one card from my hand, I can target one of my banished monsters and Summon it to my Field in Attack Position, then equip this card to it." Para returned (Suijin), which had previously been banished by the effect of (V-Z - Union Armored Hovercraft), to the Field, grinning triumphantly. "I only have this one banished monster! Welcome back, (Suijin)!"
The blue Guardian God revived from out of the Field. After passing through a ripple-like gate of time and space, it returned from the Banished Zone to the Field.
[(Suijin)][ATK 2500 → 2700]
"It's not over yet!" Para played another card. "The Spell Card, (Tribute Doll)! By Tributing one monster, I can Special Summon one Level 7 High-Level monster from my hand!"
He glanced at Dox on the other side. "Sorry, little brother, I'm going to Tribute your monster."
"It's fine, big brother. If it's for you, just use it however you like," Dox replied to Para with a smile, sending his (Mine Golem) from the Field to the Graveyard. In exchange, on Para's Field, a monster that was entirely emerald green and resembled a sphere appeared.
"This is our brothers' final Ace Monster, the third Guardian God, (Kazejin)!"
[(Kazejin)][Level 7/Wind]
[Spellcaster-Type/Effect]
[2400/2200]
"Finally, this card! (Monster Reborn)! I activate it, targeting (Sanga of the Thunder) in my brother Dox's Graveyard, and revive it to my Field!"
Lightning flashed, water surged, and fierce winds howled. After each experiencing being banished and sent to the Graveyard, the three Guardian Gods finally gathered on Para's Field. With three Level 7 monsters, Hayato almost wanted to Overlay Summon the three monsters right then and there to bring out (Number 7: Lucky Straight) for some fun.
And the Labyrinth Brothers' thoughts were partly similar to Hayato's—
"Finally, they're finally gathered!" Looking at the assembled Three Guardian Gods, Para was so moved that his eyes welled up with tears. After great effort and combining the strength of both brothers, the Three Guardian Gods were finally all Summoned to his Field. With this accomplished, only one thing remained to be done—
"Hayato, to have battled us brothers until now, I must admit you are a truly remarkable Duelist. No wonder Maximillion Pegasus values you so much." As he spoke, Para raised the last card in his hand. "Then, let us show you the Labyrinth Brothers' ultimate Ace Card, our ultimate monster!"
Dox: "When (Suijin), (Kazejin), and (Sanga of the Thunder) are all gathered on the Field!"
Para: "Tribute these three monsters!"
Dox: "The strongest Warrior that guards the final point of the Labyrinth will appear!"
Para & Dox: "Come forth, our proud monster, (Gate Guardian)!"
The incredibly classic Jenga-style Summon was recreated on the Field, with (Sanga of the Thunder) forming its head, (Kazejin) acting as its waist, and (Suijin) becoming its lower body. Even among later Warrior-Type Duel Monsters, a noble Level 11 monster with one of the highest ATK values—(Gate Guardian) officially descends!
[(Gate Guardian)][Level 11/DARK]
[Warrior-Type/Special Summon]
[3750/3400]
(Author's Note: I have to say, Duel Academy in GX! Chronos taught some excellent card-losing techniques, like a 4-for-1 Summon for (Ancient Gear Golem). Jaden, who didn't learn much else, certainly picked up on that! And then there's the classic 5-for-1 Summon for (Ultraman)—truly a case of the student surpassing the master!)
(end of chapter)