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{{Infobox/Yu-Gi-Oh!/Episodeepisode | season image = 3Vrains 111.png | image name caption = Vrains_ENHope shines [[Skye Zaizen|Blue]].png | kanji en_name = せめぎ合う意思Stronger Together | ruby japanese ja_name = せめぎ合う意思 | romaji romaji_name = Semegiau Ishi | japanese translated ja_trans_name = Wanting to Fight Each Other | english series = Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS | japanese air date number = July 24, 2019111 | english air date season = 3 | japanese opening ja_opening = [[calling]] | english opening = | japanese ending ja_ending = [[Are you ready?]] | english ending en_theme = Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS Main Theme | screenwriter = [[Atsushi Maekawa]] | director = [[Masakazu Takahashi]] | storyboard artist storyboard_artist = [[Tatsuya Ishiguro]] | animation director animation_director = [[Yuji Kaneko]]| ja_air_date = July 24, 2019| en_air_date = August 31, 2021

"'''Stronger Together'''", known as "'''Wanting to Fight Each Other'''" in the Japanese version, is the one hundred and eleventh episode of the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS]]'' anime. It first aired in Japan on July 24, 2019and aired in Australia on August 31, 2021.

{{Episode summary|[[Akira Zaizen|AkiraZaizen]] and [[Skye Zaizen|Blue Maiden]] work together to break through [[Ai]]'s battle formation, but Ai then Summons [[Water Leviathan @Ignister (anime)|a new trump card ]] and drives the two of them into a corner again. Despite Ai's intensifying attacks against them, the Zaizen siblings' strong bond manages to Summon forth a [[Marincess Great Bubble Reef (anime)|new ]] [[Signature card|ace monster]].}}

==Featured Duel: Blue Maiden & Akira vs. AiSummary==The Duel <!--Ai is conducted as a reduced to 400 LP.-->[[Yusaku Fujiki|Playmaker]], [[Theodore Hamilton|Soulburner]] and [[Master DuelRoken Kogami|Varis]].<br />The Duel is also conducted watch as a [[Tag-Team DuelAi]], faces off with [[Skye Zaizen|Blue Maiden]] and [[Akira Zaizen|AkiraZaizen]], on 3900 [[LP]] and controlling "[[Fire Phoenix @Ignister (anime)|Fire Phoenix @Ignister]]", "[[Ignister A.I.Land (anime)|Ignister A.I.Land]]" and "[[Judgment Arrows (later anime)|Judgment Arrows]]"<!--there's an unusual close-up on "Ignister A.I.Land" that I think was probably intended to be "Judgment Arrows"-->, while Zaizen and Blue Maiden have 1900 LP and control the 4700 [[ATK]] "[[Tindangle Hound (anime)|Tindangle Hound]]" and "[[Tindangle Acute Cerberus (later anime)|Tindangle Acute Cerberus]]". Zaizen explains that the effect of "Acute Cerberus" increases its ATK by 3000 as he has at least three different "[[Tindangle]]" monsters in his [[Graveyard]], including "[[Tindangle Base Gardna (later anime)|Tindangle Base Gardna]] teaming ", and as "Acute Cerberus" increases to 3000 ATK he adds that it gains 500 ATK for each "Tindangle" monster it points to; as it is pointing to "Tindangle Hound" it powers up against to 3500 ATK. Zaizen orders "Acute Cerberus" to attack "Fire Phoenix @Ignister" and [[AiRoboppi]] expresses confusion at Zaizen attacking with the 3500 ATK "Acute Cerberus" when the effect of "Judgment Arrows" will double the ATK of "Fire Phoenix" to 4600, suggesting "Acute Cerberus" will be a dead dog. Ai is impressed that Roboppi made a pun but knows Zaizen is up to something, and Zaizen and sharing Blue Maiden exchange glances as Zaizen activates the same effect of "[[fieldMarincess Decision]]" from his Graveyard, [[GYbanish]] ing it and "[[Marincess Marbled Rock (anime)|Marincess Marbled Rock]]" to reduce the ATK of "Fire Phoenix" by the original ATK of "Marbled Rock" until the end of the turn. "Fire Phoenix" falls to zero ATK, Playmaker noting its new ATK (in the dub he notes this will mean it won't be doubled by the effect of "Judgment Arrows" now) and Ai scowls and notes this was Zaizen's plan. Zaizen orders the "[[LPAttack and effect names in Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|Isometric Inferno]]" attack of "Acute Cerberus", and it opens all three of its heads and spits fire from each, forming the serpent of fire that slams into "Fire Phoenix" and destroys it, flinging Ai backwards and reducing him to 400 LP as Roboppi cries out for him.

<!--Ai urges Blue Maiden and Zaizen to show him more of their bond.-->Ai admits that wasn't bad, activating the effect of "[[Achichi @Ignister (anime)|Achichi @Ignister]]" even as he's flying through the air, explaining that as a [[FIRE]] monster would be destroyed by battle he can banish "Achichi" from his Graveyard to destroy that monster. He lands hard on the ground and Blue Maiden asks in shock if Ai used an effect to destroy a monster that would have been destroyed by battle. Ai activates the effect of "Fire Phoenix" as an effect destroyed it, destroying one monster they control. He gets to his feet and chooses "Tindangle Hound", and as "Hound" glows yellow Roboppi praises Ai for taking advantage of every situation (in the dub he bids "Tindangle Hound" "sayonara" and helpfully informs them it's Japanese for "sayonara". Zaizen can only admit that he's ''technically''Duel continues right). Zaizen notes this was what Ai was aiming for, and after a prompt from his sister, activates the effect of "[[Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS - Episode 110Marincess Basilalima (anime)|Marincess Basilalima]]" from his Graveyard, banishing it to prevent that monster's destruction and increase the ATK of a monster on the field by 600. He chooses "Acute Cerberus", who increases to 4100 ATK and then activates the effect of "Acute Cerberus" since it attacked, [[Special Summon]]ing a "[[Tindangle Token (anime)|Tindangle Token]]" to the other zone it points to, and as it is pointing to another "Tindangle" monster, "Acute Cerberus" gains 500 more ATK, rising to 4600. Ai repeats the ATK score in irritation and Zaizen ends his turn, Soulburner praising the Zaizen siblings for being in sync and Ai admitting that the bond between siblings is impressive. Blue Maiden reminds Ai again that they both tried to protect [[Aqua (character)|previous episodeAqua]]and she doesn't want to fight him, but if he's going to try to take her brother's code key then she ''will'' protect him.Ai eagerly agrees, urging them to fight harder and show him more of this sibling love. Blue Maiden snaps at him to stop joking, but [[Pandor]] notes that she doesn't sense any ill will from Ai and Blue Maiden realizes Ai is being genuine. Ai tells her to show him something more special and Blue Maiden whispers Ai's name in the dub Blue Maiden is skeptical until Ai assures her he's genuine), so Ai suggests they see who is stronger; someone who has something to protect or someone who has nothing left to lose.

Blue Maiden & Akira have 1900 <!--Ai Ritual Summons "Water Leviathan @Ignister".-->He declares his turn and [[LPDraw a card|draws]] and control , then activates the effect of "Fire Phoenix" to resurrect it, then Summons "[[Tindangle Acute Cerberus Hiyari @Ignister (later anime)|Tindangle Acute CerberusHiyari @Ignister]]" (0/↙↑↘) in . Pandor notes that Ai is Dueling as though he has nothing left to lose and she can sense a sadness from him, similar to the sadness she felt when she lost her friends. Soulburner realizes that Ai is lonely and Varis tells him off for feeling sorry for the enemy. Soulburner weakly protests, looking at the floor grimly. Varis notes that Ai resurrected "Fire Phoenix" but even when strengthened with "Judgment Arrows" it will only have 4600 ATK and wonders what the [[Extra Monster ZoneDARK|Dark]] [[Ignis]]will do. (In the dub, Pandor's observation is cut. Soulburner laments that Ai is already rebuilding his army and Varis criticizes the Zaizens for going easy on Ai. Soulburner protests they're Dueling pretty well, and Varis retorts it's not good enough; Soulburner is the one to note the insufficient ATK of "Fire Phoenix".) Ai activates the effect of "Hiyari", [[Tindangle Hound (anime)Tribute|Tindangle HoundTributing]]a different "@Ignister" monster to add "[[A.I.'s Ritual (4700/0anime) in [[Attack Position|A.I.'s Ritual]]" from his Deck to his hand, in then since he Tributed a [[Main Link Monster Zone]] to activate its effect, "Acute CerberusHiyari's" [[points toLevel]], as well as "increases by the [[Stairs Link Rating]] of Mail (anime)|Stairs the Tributed monster until the end of Mail]]the turn. "Hiyari" rises to Level 4, and 1 Ai adds that the effect of "Hiyari" will also add an "@Igniser" [[SetRitual Monster]] card in their from his Deck to his hand. He activates the [[Ritual Spell & Trap ZoneCard]], "A.I.'sRitual", Tributing "@Ignister" monsters from his hand and field whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster he is [[Ritual Summon]]ing. Zaizen is shocked that Ai has 3900 LP is Ritual Summoning, and Ai adds that if he controls a WATER "[[Fire Phoenix @Ignister (anime)|Fire Phoenix " monster he can also banish an "@Ignister]]" (2300/←↓→) in from his Main Monster ZoneGraveyard, as well as much to Blue Maiden's horror. Ai Tributes "Hiyari" and banishes "[[Pikari @Ignister A.I.Land (anime)|Pikari @Ignister A.I.Land]]" in from his Graveyard, and as the magic circle appears, Ai [[Field ZoneSummon chants in Yu-Gi-Oh! VRAINS|chants]] and "Descend! The water god dragon that hides in the ocean! Ritual Summon! [[Judgment Arrows Water Leviathan @Ignister (later anime)|Judgment ArrowsWater Leviathan @Ignister]]!" (↖↑↗) in his middle-most Spell & Trap Zone (that points "This ferocious dragon awakens from the deepest trenches to flood the world with fear! I Ritual Summon! Water Leviathan @Ignister!"Fire Phoenix"in the dub.).

'''<u>Turn 3: Akira</u!--"Water Leviathan" halves the ATK of "Tindangle Hound".-->"Water Leviathan" appears with 2300 ATK, like Ai's other powerful monsters, and Ai activates its effect as it was Ritual Summoned, returning all monsters Blue Maiden and Zaizen control with 2300 or less original ATK to their hand. Zaizen gasps "What?!" in shock, and "Acute Cerberus" vanishes into red particles that seep into Zaizen''<br />Due s Duel Disk. Varis observes that the Dark Ignis struck the blind spot of "Acute Cerberus" (in the dub he is more scathing), and Ai then activates another effect of "Water Leviathan", returning all Link Monsters from his Graveyard to his Extra Deck to its own effects, reduce the ATK of all monsters his opponent controls by their total Link Rating times 600. Ai returns the [[ATKLink 1 Monster Cards|Link-1]] of "[[Tindangle Acute Cerberus Linguriboh (later anime)|Tindangle Acute CerberusLinguriboh]]" increase by 3000, as Akira has and the Link-3 or more "[[TindangleDark Templar @Ignister (anime)|Dark Templar @Ignister]]" monsters with different names in and "Fire Phoenix". Roboppi counts a total Link Rating of 7 and Ai declares he'll lower the ATK of "Tindangle Hound", so Roboppi counts up the ATK loss, realizing it will lose 4200 ATK. "Tindangle Hound" drops to 500 ATK as Roboppi praises Ai and Ai declares his [[GYBattle Phase]], including ordering "Water Leviathan" to attack "[[Tindangle Base Gardna Hound". Blue Maiden gasps in fear and Soulburner cries "Oh no!" but Playmaker reminds him that "Judgment Arrows" won't affect "Water Leviathan" (animein the dub, he's more specific, citing the monster card types involved)|Tindangle Base Gardna]]so Zaizen will just be able to survive the attack. Soulburner realizes that Zaizen will have 100 LP left and Playmaker wonders if Ai would really attack so recklessly. Ai activates another effect of "Water Leviathan", plus an additional 500 halving the ATK for every of the monster it battles, and "TindangleHound" monster it falls to 250 ATK. [[points toCal Kolter|Kolter]] (gasps that Zaizen will lose if the attack continues and "Water Leviathan" opens its mouth and blasts a beam of water at "Acute CerberusTindangle Hound": 0 → 3500 ATK)that cuts through it and blasts Zaizen off his feet. Blue Maiden calls for her brother as he lands hard on the ground, falling to 150 LP.

"Acute Cerberus" <!--Blue Maiden saves Zaizen.-->Ai asks in shock what's going on and Soulburner gasps that Zaizen still has LP left. Varis looks quietly at the [[attackContinuous Trap Card]]on Blue Maiden's "[[Fire Phoenix @Ignister field (animein the dub Ai asks how they're still standing)|Fire Phoenix @Ignister]]". Akira activates the effect of ; "[[Marincess DecisionBubble Circle]]" , which Zaizen explains he activated when they attacked (in his GY: the dub, he can [[banish]] attributes this action to Skye). Blue Maiden adds that it and 1 restored 100 LP times the Link Rating of the "[[Marincess]]" monster from his GY, monsters in order to [[target]] 1 face-up monster his opponent controlstheir Graveyard, and decrease that target's ATK by the banished monster's [[original ATK]], until the end of this turn. He banishes they had "[[Marincess Marbled Rock Blue Slug (anime)|Marincess Marbled RockBlue Slug]]" (whose original ATK is 2500) and targets "Fire Phoenix" ("Fire Phoenix": 2300 → 0 ATK). The attack continues and "Fire Phoenix" is destroyed (Ai: 3900 → 400 [[LP]]), but Ai activates the effect of "[[Achichi @Ignister Marincess Coral Anemone (anime)|Achichi @IgnisterMarincess Coral Anemone]]" in his GY: after [[damage calculation]], if their Graveyard with a [[FIRE]] monster he controls was destroyed by battle, he can banish "Achichi" from his GYtotal Link Rating of 3, so Zaizen regained 300 LP. Varis notes that Blue Maiden anticipated Zaizen would be in order destroy that monster he control. Therefore, "Fire Phoenix" is treated danger as if it was destroyed by a card effect, which allows Ai to activate its second effect: if "Fire Phoenix" is destroyed by a card effect Blue Maiden helps her brother up and sent to the GY, she reminds Ai can destroy 1 monster his opponent controlsshe told him she would protect her brother. Ai attempts to destroy "Acute Cerberus", however Akira activates the second effect of "[[Marincess Basilalima]]" in his GY: admits her effort was impressive and tells her she can do it if a monster(s) he controls would be destroyed by she tries. Setting a card effect, he can banish "Basilalima" from to end his GY instead. In additionturn, since it was banished, Akira activates the third effect of "Basilalima": if Ai tells Blue Maiden to keep it is banished, Akira can target 1 face-up monster he controls and increase its ATK by 600. He targets "Acute Cerberus" protect Zaizen until the end ("Acute Cerberus": 3500 → 4100 ATKin the dub he claims their turn will be their last).

At <!--Blue Maiden Link Summons "Marincess Great Bubble Reef".-->Vowing to protect her brother until the end and prevent Ai from getting the code key, Blue Maiden declares her turn and draws. She Summons "[[Marincess Blue Tang (anime)|Marincess Blue Tang]]" and activates its effect, sending "[[Marincess Sea Horse (anime)|Marincess Sea Horse]]" from her Deck to the Graveyard. She sets "Blue Tang" to [[Link Summon]] the Link-1 "Marincess Blue Slug" and activates its effect, adding "Sea Horse" from her Graveyard to her hand, then activates the other effect of "Blue Tang" to excavate three cards from her Deck and add a "Marincess" card to her hand. Choosing to add "[[Marincess Crown Tail (anime)|Marincess Crown Tail]]" to her hand, Blue Maiden then Special Summons "Sea Horse" from her hand to the zone "Blue Slug" points to and then sets them both to Link Summon the Link-2 "Marincess Coral Anemone". Blue Maiden activates the effect of "Coral Anemone" to Special Summon "Blue Slug" to the zone it points to, then sets them both to Link Summon again, this time another Link-3 "Marincess Marbled Rock". She activates the effect of "Marbled Rock" to add a "Marincess" card from her Graveyard to her hand and chooses "Blue Tang", then activates the other effect of "Sea Horse" from her Graveyard, banishing it to Special Summon "Crown Tail" from her hand to the zone "Marbled Rock" points to. She chants "Shine! The circuit of love and bonds!" and declares the Summoning conditions are at least two WATER monsters, setting "Marbled Rock" and "Crown Tail" and chanting "The mother ocean's deep blue! Gather in my hand for the power of affection and purification! Link Summon! Appear, [[Link 4 Monster Cards|Link-4]]! [[Marincess Great Bubble Reef (anime)|Marincess Great Bubble Reef]]!" ("Though a single tiny droplet may appear insignificant, they combine to fill every ocean on the planet with their purity! I Link Summon! Link-4 Marincess Great Bubble Reef!" in the dub.) <!--Blue Maiden continuously damages Ai with "Marincess Bubble Circle".-->"Great Bubble Reef" appears with 2600 ATK and Soulburner gasps that it's a Link-4 as Varis repeats the monster's name and Playmaker observes this is Blue Maiden's new [[Signature card|ace monster]] (in the dub, Soulburner calls it impressive and Varis admits he's never seen it; Playmaker noting that Blue Maiden has certainly elevated her game). Blue Maiden then activates the effect of "Marincess Bubble Circle", banishing a [[Level 5 Monster Cards|Level 5]] or higher "Marincess" monster from her Graveyard to inflict 100 damage to Ai. Ai grits his teeth as Blue Maiden banishes "Crown Tail" and reduces him to 300 LP, then mocks Blue Maiden for bringing out a new Link-4 ace monster and only inflicting 100 damage, wondering what the point was (in the dub, he knows Blue Maiden is up to something). Blue Maiden reveals the effect of "Great Bubble Reef"; she gains 600 ATK until the end of the turn if a monster is banished from the field or Graveyard. "Great Bubble Reef" rises to 3200 ATK and Ai muses that this was what Blue Maiden was going for. In [[Café Nom]] Kolter notes that although Ai only has 300 LP "Water Leviathan" has 2300 ATK ''and'' an effect to halve the ATK of the monster it battles, and Varis thinks that one will need a monster with at least 4600 ATK to destroy it (Kolter continues making this observation in the dub). Ai asks Blue Maiden what's wrong, claiming she can't destroy his monster with such low ATK, but Blue Maiden activates the effect of "[[Tindangle Returner]]" as a monster was banished, returning it to her hand and returning the banishes monster to her Graveyard. Ai gasps in shock as Blue Maiden activates the effect of "Marincess Bubble Circle" again, banishing "Crown Tail" to inflict 100 damage to Ai. Ai falls to 200 LP and Soulburner notes Blue Maiden's expertise at inflicting [[effect damage]] and deduces this to be her goal (in the dub he instead notes that Blue Maiden is using two strategies against Ai, limiting his options). Ai grits his teeth as the effect of "Great Bubble Reef" activates again, increasing her ATK by 600, to 3800, and then Blue Maiden activates another effect of "Great Bubble Reef", sending "Marincess Sea Horse" from her hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon the banished "Crown Tail" in [[Defense Position]]. <!--"Marincess Great Bubble Reef" attacks "Water Leviathan @Ignister".-->Blue Maiden tells her brother she's using his card, and as Zaizen agrees, she Tributes "Crown Tail" to Special Summon "Tindangle Returner" in Defense Position with its own effect, then increase the ATK of "Great Bubble Reef" by the ATK of "Crown Tail" until the end of the turn. "Great Bubble Reef" increases to 4400 ATK, a score Playmaker notes. Varis adds that "Crown Tail" was sent to the Graveyard again, so Blue Maiden can activate the effect of "Bubble Circle" to damage Ai's LP and increase the ATK of "Great Bubble Reef" even further. Ai flinches in fear and Roboppi cries this is bad, but Ai steels himself and tells Blue Maiden to bring it on, to try and protect the one dear to her and defeat him (in the dub Roboppi states even they can tell Ai is in trouble and Ai snaps back that looks are deceiving and he's fine). Pandor notes Ai is flustered, but warns Blue Maiden of his ability to escape danger (in the dub she comments that Ai sounds as though he is only 3% confident and 97% overcompensating) and Blue Maiden confirms she won't go easy on Ai, banishing "Crown Tail" from her Graveyard to activate its effect, preventing her from taking [[battle damage]] less than 1000 times the Link Rating of different "Marincess" Link Monsters in her Graveyard this turn. Playmaker notes the total Link Ratings in Blue Maiden's Graveyard is six, and Varis notes that even if Ai can increase the ATK of "Water Leviathan" Blue Maiden won't take any battle damage if it's 6000 or fewer. Ai laments Blue Maiden's caution and notes there are no counters for this battle (in the dub he protests that preventing 6000 damage is going a ''little'' overboard), Roboppi gasping that Ai's provocation backfired and vowing to get revenge for him. Ai can only protest that he hasn't lost ''yet'' as the effect of "Great Bubble Reef" activates again, increasing her to 5000 ATK. Ai scowls and Playmaker repeats the ATK value, noting this is what Blue Maiden was aiming for as opposed to effect damage. Varis notes that even after her ATK is halved by "Water Leviathan", this attack will defeat the Dark Ignis if it succeeds. Blue Maiden reflects that he brother has protected her all her life and didn't want her going to [[LINK VRAINS]] to protect her from danger, remembering her loss to [[Spectre]] (in the dub she reflects that Akira always went overboard, but she understands he wanted to protect her). But now she's fighting alongside her brother and ''she'll'' be the one to protect him from now. She declares her Battle Phaseand orders "Marincess Great Bubble Reef" to attack "Water Leviathan @Ignister", and "Great Bubble Reef" conjures a waterspout around her and blasts it at "Water Leviathan". Ai grins that it's coming and activates the effect of "Water Leviathan" to halve the ATK of "Great Bubble Reef" to 2500. Soulburner cheers Blue Maiden on as the waterspout approaches "Water Leviathan" and Roboppi cries that Ai is going to lose. <!--Blue Maiden and Zaizen are defeated.-->Ai snarls that Blue Maiden can't protect Zaizen (in the dub he admits he can't stop his monster from being destroyed, but he can do ''this'') and activates a Trap Card, "[[HA.I.]]" as he took effect damage during Blue Maiden's turn and their monsters battled, inflicting damage to her equal to twice the difference in their monsters' ATK and destroying "Great Bubble Reef". Blue Maiden's eyes widen in horror and Ai orders "Water Leviathan" to strike back. "Water Leviathan" blasts a stream of water from its mouth that slams into "Great Bubble Reef's" waterspout and Varis gasps that the different in their ATK is 200 while Soulburner gasps the effect damage will be doubled, Playmaker grimly noting the effect of "Crown Tail" only prevents battle damage. "Water Leviathan" intensifies its water blast, consuming and destroying "Great Bubble Reef". Zaizen dives through the water to reach Skye, calling her name as Blue Maiden calls out for them, but before their hands can touch the torrent blows them away, reducing their LP to zero. <!--To Blue Maiden's horror, only Zaizen is erased after their Duel.-->Ai declares Blue Maiden failed to protect Zaizen (in the dub he grimly declares "GG") as the drenched siblings reach out for one another, Skye taking Zaizen's hand as he tells her they'll never be apart again (in the dub, Zaizen apologizes to Skye for not doing enough and she tells him he's done more for her than he can ever imagine). Skye agrees, but to her horror only Akira vanishes into data, leaving his code key behind. Blue Maiden trembles as she turns to Ai and asks why only her brother disappeared given they lost as a tag team. Roboppi asks if Ai is showing uncharacteristic compassion, but Ai denies that he is, declaring that he won't erase Blue Maiden and that she - like him - will continue to live with regret for failing to protect someone dear to her (in the dub this is cut, and it isn't discussed why Blue Maiden survived). He calls the code key to his hand, noting that he's taking it as promised and casually telling Blue Maiden and Pandor that he'll see them later as he bids Roboppi to come with him, Roboppi saluting and joining him. Playmaker calls Ai's name, and Ai asks "master Playmaker" if there's something he wants to say, but Playmaker can only say "You..." and Ai smiles, telling Playmaker he'll be going if there's nothing (in the dub he sarcastically tells him it was a "good talk"). Soulburner screams at Ai to wait, yelling that he's gone too far, but Varis tells him it's fine, much to Ai's interest. Varis notes that now he can erase Ai without any hesitation and clenches his fist as he promises to end Ai (in the dub Soulburner protests that Ai isn't a bad guy and knows this isn't right, but Varis furiously tells him he is wrong; the Dark Ignis has tricked them this entire time and shown its true colors, and he'll be the one to fade it to black). Ai chuckles and keeps walking, suggesting to Playmaker that they meet again as he and Roboppi log out (in the dub he also wishes Varis good luck with his goal). Playmaker can only whisper Ai's name as Blue Maiden sobs on the ground, apologizing to her brother as tears trickle down Skye's face on the plane. ==Featured Duel: Blue Maiden & Akira Zaizen vs Ai=={{Duelprev|Featured Duel: Blue Maiden & Akira Zaizen vs Ai}} Blue Maiden & Zaizen have 1900 [[LP]] and control "[[Tindangle Acute Cerberus (later anime)|Tindangle Acute Cerberus]]" (0/↙↑↘) in the [[Extra Monster Zone]], and "[[Tindangle Hound (anime)|Tindangle Hound]]" (4700/0) in [[Attack Position]], in a [[Main Monster Zone]] "Acute Cerberus" [[points to]], as well as "[[Stairs of Mail (anime)|Stairs of Mail]]" and 1 [[Set]] card in their [[Spell & Trap Zone]]s. Ai has 3900 LP and controls "[[Fire Phoenix @Ignister (anime)|Fire Phoenix @Ignister]]" (2300/←↓→) in his Main Monster Zone, as well as "[[Ignister A.I.Land (anime)|Ignister A.I.Land]]" in his [[Field Zone]] and "[[Judgment Arrows (later anime)|Judgment Arrows]]" (↖↑↗) in his middle-most Spell & Trap Zone (that points to "Fire Phoenix"). '''<u>Turn 3: Zaizen</u>'''<br />Due to its own effects, the [[ATK]] of "[[Tindangle Acute Cerberus (later anime)|Tindangle Acute Cerberus]]" increase by 3000, as Zaizen has three or more "[[Tindangle]]" monsters with different names in his [[GY]], including "[[Tindangle Base Gardna (anime)|Tindangle Base Gardna]]", plus an additional 500 ATK for every "Tindangle" monster it [[points to]] ("Acute Cerberus": 0 → 3500 ATK). "Acute Cerberus" [[attack]]s "[[Fire Phoenix @Ignister (anime)|Fire Phoenix @Ignister]]". Zaizen activates the effect of "[[Marincess Decision]]" in his GY, [[banish]]ing it and one "[[Marincess]]" monster from his GY to [[target]] one face-up monster his opponent controls and decrease that target's ATK by the banished monster's [[original ATK]] until the end of the turn. He banishes the 2500 ATK "[[Marincess Marbled Rock (anime)|Marincess Marbled Rock]]" and targets "Fire Phoenix" ("Fire Phoenix": 2300 → 0 ATK). The attack continues and "Fire Phoenix" is destroyed (Ai: 3900 → 400 [[LP]]), but Ai activates the effect of "[[Achichi @Ignister (anime)|Achichi @Ignister]]" in his GY after [[damage calculation]] as a [[FIRE]] monster he controls was destroyed by battle, banishing "Achichi" to destroy that monster he controls. Therefore, "Fire Phoenix" is treated as if it was destroyed by a card effect, which allows Ai to activate its second effect, destroying one monster his opponent controls. He chooses to destroy "Acute Cerberus". As a monster(s) he controls would be destroyed by a card effect, Zaizen activates the second effect of "[[Marincess Basilalima (anime)|Marincess Basilalima]]" in his GY, banishing "Basilalima" from his GY instead. As "Basilalima" was banished, Zaizen activates its third effect of "Basilalima", targeting one face-up monster he controls and increasing its ATK by 600. He targets "Acute Cerberus" ("Acute Cerberus": if 3500 → 4100 ATK). At the end of the [[Battle Phase]], Zaizen activates the third effect of "Acute Cerberus" as it declared an [[attack]], he can [[Special Summon]] 1 ing a "[[Tindangle Token (anime)|Tindangle Token]]" ([[Fiend]]/[[DARK]]/[[Level]] 1/ATK 0/[[DEF]] 0). He Special Summons a "Tindangle Token" to the [[Main Monster Zone]] the bottom right [[Link Arrow]] of "Acute Cerberus" points to in [[Defense Position]] ("Acute Cerberus": 4100 → 4600 ATK).

During his [[Standby Phase]], Ai activates the third effect of "Fire Phoenix": since as he has activated the second effect of "Fire Phoenix" since his last Standby Phase, he can Special Summon Summoning it from his GY (2300/←↓→). Ai [[Normal Summon]]s "[[Hiyari @Ignister (anime)|Hiyari @Ignister]]" (300/400). Ai activates the second effect of "Hiyari": he can , [[Tribute|Tributing]] 1 other another "[[@Ignister]]" monster, in order to add 1 one "[[A.I.'s Ritual (anime)|A.I.'s Ritual]]" from his [[Deck]] to his [[hand]], then, if he Tributed a [[Link Monster]] to activate this effect, he can also add 1 "@Ignister" [[Ritual Monster]] from your his Deck to your his hand, and if he does, the Level of "Hiyari" is increased by the Tributed monster's [[Link Rating]], until the end of this the turn. He tributes Tributes the Link-3 "Fire Phoenix", adds "A.I.'s Ritual" and "[[Water Leviathan @Ignister (anime)|Water Leviathan @Ignister]]" from his Deck to his hand, and increases the Level of "Hiyari" by 3 (as the Link Rating of the tributed "Fire Phoenix" is 3) ("Hiyari" Level: 1 → 4). Ai activates the [[Ritual Spell]] "A.I.'s Ritual", allowing him to [[Ritual Summon]] any ing an "@Ignister" Ritual Monster, by tributing Tributing "@Ignister" monsters from his hand and/or [[field]], whose total Levels equal or exceed the Level of the Ritual Monster he is Ritual Summoning. Additionally, if he controls controlled a [[WATER]] "@Ignister" monster at activationwhen he activated, "A.I.'s Ritual" , he can also allows Ai to [[banish]] "@Ignister" monsters from your his GY for the Ritual Summon. Ai Tributes the Level 4 "Hiyari" on his field and banishes the Level 4 "[[Pikari @Ignister (anime)|Pikari @Ignister]]" from his GY to Ritual Summon the Level 7 "Water Leviathan" (2300/???2000) in [[Attack Position]]. As it was Ritual Summoned, Ai activates the first effect of "Water Leviathan": if it is Ritual Summoned, Ai can return to the hand returning all monsters his opponent controls whose original ATK are 2300 or lessto the hand. He returns the 0 original ATK "Acute Cerberus" to AkiraZaizen's [[Extra Deck]]. Ai activates the second effect of "Water Leviathan": He can target 1 , targeting one monster his opponent controls, then return returning all Link Monsters from his GY to the Extra Deck, and if he does, the targeted monster loses ATK equal to the total Link Rating of the returned monsters x 600. He targets "[[Tindangle Hound (anime)|Tindangle Hound]]", and returns the Link -1 "[[Linguriboh (anime)|Linguriboh]]" and the Link -3 "[[Dark Templar @Ignister (anime)|Dark Templar @Ignister]]" and "Fire Phoenix" to his Extra Deck, which have a total Link Rating of 7 ("Hound": 4700 → 500 ATK).

"Water Leviathan" attacks "Hound". Due to the third effect of "Water Leviathan", if it battles an opponent's monster, that opponent's monster's ATK is halved during damage calculation only ("Hound" 500 → 250 ATK). In response to the attack, Akira Zaizen activates Blue Maiden's [[Set]] [[Continuous Trap]] "[[Marincess Bubble Circle]]": when it is activated, Akira gains gaining LP equal to the total Link Rating of the "Marincess" Link Monsters in his GY x 100. There are currently 2two: the Link-1 "[[Marincess Blue Slug (anime)|Blue Slug]]" and [[Link 2 Monster Cards|Link-2]] "[[Marincess Coral Anemone (anime)|Coral Anemone]]", which have a total Link rating Rating of 3 (Akira Zaizen & Blue Maiden: 1900 → 2200 → 150 LP). Ai sets [[Set]]s a card.

Blue Maiden Normal Summons "[[Marincess Blue Tang (anime)|Marincess Blue Tang]]" (1500/1200) and activates its effect: if it card is . As "Blue Tang" was Normal or Special Summoned, Blue Maiden can send 1 activates its effect, sending a "Marincess" monster from her Deck to the GY, except another copy of "Blue Tang". She sends "[[Marincess Sea Horse (anime)|Marincess Sea Horse]]" from her Deck to the GY. Blue Maiden sets "Blue Tang" (1 Level 4 or lower "Marincess" monster" in the Link Arrow to [[Link Summon]] "Marincess Blue Slug" (1500/↓) to the [[Extra Monster Zone]]. Blue Maiden activates the second effect of "Blue Tang" in her GY, and chains the effect of "Blue Slug". The chain [[resolve]]s backwards: since as "Blue Slug" was Link Summoned, Blue Maiden can target 1 a "Marincess" monster in her GY and add it to her hand. She targets and adds "Sea Horse" from her GY to her hand. The effect of "Blue Tang" resolves: as it was sent to the GY as [[Link Material|material]] for the Link Summon of a WATER monster, Blue Maiden can [[excavate]] the top 3 cards of her Deck, and if she does, she can add 1 one excavated "Marincess" card to her hand, but she must [[shuffle]] the rest back into her Deck. Of the 3 excavated, she She adds "[[Marincess Crown Tail (anime)|Marincess Crown Tail]]" to her hand, and shuffles the remaining 2 two cards back into her Deck. Blue Maiden Special Summons "Marincess Sea Horse" from her hand to the zone the bottom center Link Arrow of "Blue Slug" points to, in Attack Position via its own effect. Blue Maiden sets "Sea Horse" and "Blue Slug" (2 WATER monsters) in the Link Arrows to Link Summon "Marincess Coral Anemone" (2000/←↓) to the Extra Monster Zone. Blue Maiden activates the first effect of "Coral Anemone", allowing her to target 1 targeting one WATER monster in her GY and Special Summon Summoning it to a zone "Coral Anemone" points to. She targets and Special Summons "Blue Slug" to the zone the bottom center Link Arrow of "Coral Anemone" points to. Blue Maiden sets "Blue Slug" and the Link 2 "Coral Anemone" (2+ WATER monsters) in the Link Arrows to Link Summon "Marincess Marbled Rock" (2500/←↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone. Blue Maiden activates the second effect of "Coral Anemone" in her GY: if as it is was sent to the GY, Blue Maiden can target 1 targeting one "Marincess" card in her GY and add adding it to her hand. She targets and adds "Blue Tang" from her GY to her hand. Blue Maiden activates the second effect of "Sea Horse" in her GY: during her [[Main Phase]], except the turn "Sea Horse" was sent to the GY, she can banish "Sea Horse" from her GY, in order to Special Summon 1 a WATER monster from her hand to her zone a "Marincess" Link Monster points to. She Special Summons "Marincess Crown Tail" (600/2300) to the zone the bottom center Link arrow of "Marbled Rock" points to, in Defense Position. Blue Maiden sets "Crown Tail" and the Link -3 "Marbled Rock" (2+ WATER monsters) in the Link Arrows to Link Summon "[[Marincess Great Bubble Reef (anime)|Marincess Great Bubble Reef]]" (2600/←↙↓→) to the Extra Monster Zone.  Blue Maiden activates the second effect of "Bubble Circle", banishing 1 a [[Level 5 Monster Cards|Level 5 ]] or higher "Marincess" monster from her GY, in order to inflict 100 points of [[effect damage|damage]] to her opponent. She banishes the Level 5 "Crown Tail" from her GY (Ai: 400 → 300 LP). Since As a monster(s) was banished from the field or GY, Blue Maiden activates the effect of "Great Bubble Reef", increasing its ATK by 600 until the end of this the turn ("Great Bubble Reef": 2600 → 3200 ATK). Blue Maiden activates the second effect of "[[Tindangle Returner]]" in her GY: she can target 1 , targeting one of her banished monsters, in order to add "Returner" to her hand, and if she does, she returns that target to the GY. She targets and returns her banished "Crown Tail" to her GY, and add adds "Returner" to her hand. Blue Maiden activates the second effect of "Bubble Circle" again, banishing the Level 5 "Crown Tail" from her GY in order to inflict 100 damage to her opponent (Ai: 300 → 200). Since As a monster(s) was banished from the field or GY, Blue Maiden activates the effect of "Great Bubble Reef" again, increasing its ATK by 600 until the end of this the turn ("Great Bubble Reef": 3200 → 3800 ATK). Blue Maiden activates the effect of "Great Bubble Reef": she can send , sending 1 "Marincess" monster from her hand to the GY, in order to target 1 one of her banished "Marincess" monsters and Special Summon it. She sends "Sea Horse" from her hand to her GY, in order to target and Special Summon her banished "Crown Tail" in Defense Position. Blue Maiden activates the first effect of "Returner" from her hand, targeting 1 one face-up monster she controls and Tributing 1 other another monster, in order to Special Summon "Returner" from her hand, and if she does that, the targeted monster gains ATK equal to the ATK the Tributed monster had on the field, until the end of this turn. She targets "Great Bubble Reef", Tributes "Crown Tail", Special Summons "Returner" (???300/3000) in Defense Position, and increases the ATK of "Great Bubble Reef" by the 600 ATK of the Tributed "Crown Tail" ("Great Bubble Reef": 3800 → 4400 ATK). Blue Maiden activates the second effect of "Crown Tail" in her GY: she can banish , banishing it from her GY, then, for the rest of this turn, she never takes will not take battle damage if the amount is less than or equal to the total Link Rating of all "Marincess" Link Monsters with different names in her GY x 1000. She has the Link -1 "Blue Slug", the Link -2 "Coral Anemone", and the Link -3 "Marbled Rock" in her GY, therefore she never takes will not take battle damage if the damage is 6000 or less. Since As a monster(s) was banished from the field or GY, Blue Maiden activates the effect of "Great Bubble Reef" again, increasing its ATK by 600 until the end of this the turn ("Great Bubble Reef": 4400 → 5000 ATK).

"Great Bubble Reef" attacks "Water Leviathan". Due to the third effect of "Water Leviathan", the ATK of "Great Bubble Reef" is halved during damage calculation only ("Great Bubble Reef": 5000 → 2500 ATK). During As he took effect damage calculationthis turn and a monster is battling another monster, Ai activates his Set [[Normal Trap|Trap]] "[[HA.I.]]": during his opponent's turn in which he took effect , inflicting damage, if a monster battles another monster: to his opponent takes damage equal to twice the difference in ATK between those 2 the battling monsters, then the opponent's attacking monster is destroyed. The difference between the 2500 ATK "Great Bubble Reef" and the 2300 ATK "Water Leviathan" is 200, therefore so Blue Maiden and Akira Zaizen take 400 points of damage (Blue Maiden & AkiraZaizen: 150 → 0 LP).

{{Decklist|Skye Zaizen/Blue Maiden

* [[Marincess Basilalima (anime)|Marincess Basilalima]]