"What!?"
Beckas started to panic only now.
Unable to activate the effect of any card... His invincible strongest shield, Holy Defense, turned out to be useless.
Although during the Duel Kingdom period, cartoon monsters had the convenient effect of evading attacks and being untouchable, as the rules transitioned into Duel City and became standardized by the Kaiba Group, these early irregular effects were abolished.
So when Beckas made cameo appearances in later theater movies and the GX animation, his cartoon monsters had already lost the invincible resistance they once had, and were modified to possess the ability to attack directly.
Of course, Beckas had a strategy to compensate for the weakening brought about by version changes.
The new card "Cartoon Kingdom," debuting in the GX animation, was his way of enhancing the resistance lost by cartoon monsters.
"Then the effect of 'Cartoon Kingdom'!" Beckas shouted, "When my cartoon monsters engage in battle and are about to be destroyed, I can substitute it by removing a card from the top of my deck from the game, replacing that monster's battle destruction!" (Original effect)
This effect and its activation cost have modifications compared to the physical card.
In the animation, when Cartoon Kingdom was activated, five cards had to be removed from the top of the deck, and when substituting destruction, one card was removed from the top of the deck.
With the physical card, three cards were removed "face-down" from the top of the deck upon activation, and one card when substituting destruction.
Don't underestimate those two words "face-down." In today's Yu-Gi-Oh!, although it can't be said that everyone can use banished cards like their hand, there are many decks that can do so—the banished cards are almost indistinguishable from being in hand for many decks that specialize in banishing... no, perhaps they're even more convenient than being in hand.
But face-down removal is different. Face-down removal means the cards are removed facing downwards. In Yu-Gi-Oh! rules, face-down is an "unidentifiable" state.
Cards in a face-down state cannot have their type determined, making recovery methods virtually nonexistent. Even if a card has effects that trigger "when banished," most similar effects do not activate when removed face-down.
In other words, face-up removal for many decks might feel like the cards are home, but when face-down, it truly means the card is absent from the game.
Joey spoke up: "But when Fierce Demon Dragon - Evil Demon Dragon attacks, effects from any cards, including magic effects, cannot be activated!"
Preventing opponents from trying to BS.
"But it's just a matter of 'can't activate,' not all card effects are invalid," Beckas retorted confidently.
"The effect of 'Cartoon Kingdom' is a continuous effect, applicable without activation, so it doesn't fall under the influence of Evil Demon Dragon's effect.
Therefore, I remove a card from the top of my deck, replacing the 'Cartoon Black Mage Girl's' battle destruction!"
Beckas drew a card from the top of his deck and casually placed it on the nearby table to indicate removal. Evil Demon Dragon's thunderous flames struck in front of the cartoon Magic Guide Loli, her face turned pale with fright, unable to move.
But the transparent barrier released by Cartoon Kingdom blocked all the electricity and dark flames in front of her.
"But only the destruction is nullified," Joey shouted, "Battle damage still applies!"
[Beckas, LP4000→LP2800]
Beckas staggered back two steps from the impact of dark flames and lightning, his face alternating between red and white, then snorted after steadying himself.
"Impressive, Joey Boy..."
But before he finished, Joey clicked his tongue and confidently waved his finger with a smirk.
"Don't think that the evolved Evil Demon Dragon has just this level of power!"
"What?" Beckas's face changed again.
"Fierce Demon Dragon - Evil Demon Dragon's follow-up effect activates!"
Joey announced loudly.
"After ending the battle phase in which this Fusion Summoned card fought, I can target an 'Ordinary Monster True Red Eye' in my graveyard!
Return that monster to the deck, dealing damage to the opponent equal to the original Attack Power of the chosen monster!"
Beckas: "!!!"
Beckas' eyes were wide open, presumably resembling what's called "pupil quake."
Because he was truly panicked.
The True Red Eye monster in the graveyard, isn't it...
"Correct, I'm returning the 'True Red-Eyed Black Dragon' that was just fused to the deck!"
Joey drew the True Red-Eyed Black Dragon automatically exited from the graveyard onto his hand.
At the same time, the Evil Demon Dragon on the field roared, separating a dragon silhouette from its body. The semi-transparent image of the True Red Eye quickly seemed to ignite, as if flames attached to the Black Dragon, transforming into a ferocious fiery dragon!
"Deal Beckas damage equal to True Red-Eyed Black Dragon's Attack Power, which is 2400 points!"
Evil Demon Dragon raised its head and roared, and the flaming True Red Eye shot like a cannon, the flames engulfing Beckas entirely, even making his graceful red suit seem to burn.
"Ahhhhh—"
Beckas screamed in agony, losing his gentlemanly grace and composure.
[Beckas, LP2800→LP400]
"How's that, card-printing scoundrel!"
Joey boasted.
"Now do you see the power of my friendship with the game?"
He had long disdained Beckas for making custom-made cards and rules unique to himself as a designer. Many years later, this slap in the face felt quite satisfying.
"Set a card, end my turn," Joey declared.
Beckas staggered, barely managing to stand steady.
He gasped heavily, unconsciously rubbing his now messed-up hair bombed earlier, took a moment to recover.
Then he looked up, squinting his eyes at Joey.
"Looks like you've really changed, Joey Boy."
Beckas no longer spoke with a slightly joking tone he had before.
He seemed truly serious.
Joey hadn't mentioned it to anyone, but in fact, he had genuinely honed his skills over the years.
Yes, he hadn't participated in any competitions and wasn't active in the Dueling Realm. But that didn't mean he completely gave up dueling.
On the contrary, he had a dream or rather a wish.
Which was to rid himself of the title of Gambling God!
To this day, even when people refer to his glorious deeds of advancing into Duel City's top four, contending with the Three Phantom Gods, and defeating the Doma Swordsman, they still summarize them with the phrase "just lucky."
And he found it hard to argue that aside from saying "luck is also a part of strength" because indeed, many of his crucial battles couldn't have been won without dice and coins...
But now he was determined to change!
He wanted to prove that he, City Blade, wasn't just about luck.
Even without dice and coins, he's a legendary duelist!