"My turn—draw!"
It was Mello’s turn again.
The attack lock still wasn’t lifted. Most of the Gladiator Beasts’ power remained sealed, and even Gyzarus, the Gladiator Beast boss, had been taken down. Though Rainbow Life had restored a big chunk of LP, the situation still looked grim for him overall.
But there was still a way.
"I Normal Summon ’Gladiator Beast Andal’!"
With a deep roar, a black bear in heavy armor appeared in a burst of golden light, pounding its chest like a gorilla.
[Gladiator Beast Andal, ATK 1900]
The only vanilla in the Gladiator Beast family, but it was considered a key reinforcement when it was released. 1900 ATK outclassed the then-main 4-star beater Bestiari, and being a Level 4 vanilla made it easy to Special Summon with the Spell Card Unexpected Dai, turning that into an advantage.
"Then I activate the effect of another ’Test Tiger’ in my hand," Mello said. "If I control a Gladiator Beast, Test Tiger can Special Summon itself.
I Special Summon ’Test Tiger’ from my hand again!"
[Test Tiger, ATK 600]
"Though this duel hasn’t gone exactly as planned, it seems I still have to get serious against you," Mello said. "You’re a duelist blessed by talent, Fujiki Kira. Your ability alone puts you above most people in this world.
And precisely because of that, I can’t afford to lose."
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly, and spoke slowly.
"With President Pegasus’s aid, the completed Gladiator cards are at last ready to unleash their power.
I activate Test Tiger’s effect: tribute this card, return 1 ’Gladiator Beast’ I control to the Deck, then Special Summon any ’Gladiator Beast’ from the Deck!"
Test Tiger, fresh on the field and just done licking its little paw, dissolved into countless golden motes and vanished.
"I return ’Gladiator Beast Andal’ from the field to the Deck. From the Deck, a new Gladiator Beast appears—show yourself—
—Gladiator Beast Augustus!"
A pitch-black whirlwind rose; feathers filled the air. A greatsword split the black gale into fragments as the avian king of the arena descended in heavy armor.
[Gladiator Beast Augustus, ATK 2600]
"Now, Augustus’s effect activates!" Mello said. "When Augustus is Special Summoned by a ’Gladiator Beast’ effect: I can Special Summon 1 ’Gladiator Beast’ monster from my hand in Defense Position!"
"Test Tiger isn’t a Gladiator Beast by name, but it counts as Special Summoned by a Gladiator Beast effect, right?" Kira asked.
"Correct," Mello replied. "However, the monster Special Summoned by Augustus’s effect must return to its owner’s Deck during the End Phase. But one turn is more than enough!"
Mello revealed another Gladiator Beast.
"I Special Summon ’Gladiator Beast Darius’!"
A shrill whinny rang out as the horse-faced Beast-Warrior returned to the field.
[Gladiator Beast Darius, ATK 1700]
"Then Darius’s effect," Mello continued. "When Darius is Special Summoned by a Gladiator Beast effect: negate the effects of a Gladiator Beast in the GY and Special Summon it!"
"Your Bestiari went back to the Deck last turn," Kira reminded him.
"I know," Mello said coldly. "But in the GY still sleeps the Gladiator king you destroyed with ’Blaze Accelerator’!
Return once more and display your majesty—
—Gladiator Beast Gyzarus!!!"

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