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"You'll like this one." The Knight of Hanoi glares at Michael (or at least Michael thinks he's glaring, it's hard to tell with the mask) before continuing. "I activate Raimei!"
"You-" Michael doesn't get to say anything more, not before the electric blast hits him. A scream rips from his throat, a reaction to the pain he's already expecting, the pain he knows will come for losing, and he can't go through this again he can't-
(For a moment, a single painful moment, he's back to that tiny room, at the mercy of his unseen captors as he's put through what at the time seemed like unending torment. Then he's back to the reality of Link Vrains, suddenly trembling on his hands and knees as he struggles to pull himself together.)
"Hey, shit, you're not giving up are you?" Alit's voice sounds at the edge of Michael's hearing as he trembles and his LP ticks ever so slightly down, but he doesn't respond. The only thought occupying his mind now is the need to Not Lose, to not be helpless at the hands of Hanoi ever again, to not go back to being that terrified six year old. A harsh snarl curls at the edges of his mouth, something feral taking root as he pulls himself to his feet and stares down the Knight and his Mystery Shell Dragon poised to attack.
"Mystery Shell Dragon attacks directly-"
"No it doesn't." Michael growls, ignoring Alit's noise of concern. "I activate Hidden Fangs of Revenge."
"I destroy two of my own set cards to negate your Mystery Shell Dragon's attack-" Michael gestures, indicating the two cards in his Spell and Trap Zone just as they're destroyed and Mystery Shell Dragon halts in its attack, "-then I choose one of my destroyed monsters. I then get to destroy as many of your monsters as possible with ATK less than or equal to my monster's defense. We both know I use Artifacts, so let's cut to the chase."
Michael grins savagely, already savouring the moment.
"I choose Artifact Achilleshield. Achilleshield's 2200 DEF is higher than Mystery Shell Dragon's 2000 ATK, so your monster is destroyed." An echo of Achilleshield appears, and a moment later the shield is thrust into Mystery Shell Dragon by the spirit holding it, destroying the dragon. "My Artifacts now get to summon themselves to the field by their own effects - get out here, Achilleshield and Failnaught! - and then Failnaught sets one monster from my graveyard in the Spell and Trap Zone and your turn moves to the End Phase!"
The monsters take their places on Michael's field, Achilleshield and Failnaught reappearing in ghostly flashes of light in the Monster Zone while a single Set card appears in the Spell and Trap Zone, and Michael delights in watching the Knight of Hanoi squirm. Good, let the bastard squirm, he thinks to himself. Those monsters have it coming.
"I end my turn." The Knight of Hanoi growls, and Michael's grin only grows at finally getting to go on the attack.
"My turn. I draw!" Michael draws, slotting his new card into his hand without a second glance. "Now, are you ready, you cowardly rat? Are you ready to pay for every moment of pain I went through?!"
Michael doesn't hesitate, plunging right into a familiar chant made unfamiliar by the harsh tone the words are spoken in.
"Ancient weapon of the past, appear now to slice apart all those who would cause harm! Come out! The sword of legend, Artifact Durendal!"
Both Achilleshield and Failnaught are absorbed into the XYZ Summon, a burst of energy blasting from the portal a moment later to signal the arrival of Artifact Durendal. The sword appears, gleaming as it's swung by a red and blue spirit, and as it settles into place Michael can't help but glare directly at the Knight.
"I'm taking my revenge, right here and now! Tell V I'm coming for every last fucking person ever associated with Hanoi!"
