Ben Leverett is a twelve year-old veteran of the Dragon Duel series, with several wins under his belt.  his opponent is ten year-old Kenny Zhou, from Indio California.  Both competitors are playing Atlantean Mermails, so this could come down to a bit of luck, and a whole lot of Side Decking!

Zhou Set three cards to his backrow to kick things off.

Leverett had a hand of two Mermail Abyssgunde; two Mermail Abysspike; Deep Sea Diva; and Mermail Abyssmegalo.

“Thinking time…” mused Leverett.  He attempted to Summon Abysspike, but Zhou negated the Summon with Solemn Warning.  He discarded an Abyssgunde and his second Abysspike for Mermail Abyssmegalo, Special Summoning Abysspike with Abyssgunde and searching out Abyss-sphere with Abyssmegalo’s effect.  He pitched his second Abyssgunde for the new Abysspike, searching his Deck for Atlantean Marksman.  He Set Abyss-sphere and ended without attacking.

Zhou Normal Summoned Deep Sea Diva, Special Summoning Atlantean Marksman from his Deck.  He Tuned them together for Ally of Justice Catastor, then flipped Mystical Space Typhoon.  Leverett Chained his targeted Abyss-sphere, Special Summoning Mermail Abysslinde and then using its effect to Special Summon another Abyssmegalo.  Zhou attacked the first copy to destroy it with Catastor’s effect and Set another Spell or Trap.

Leverett drew Monster Reborn.  He Normal Summoned Deep Sea Diva, then Special Summoned Atlantean Heavy Infantry.  “This is so awkward.”  He Normal Summoned Atlantean Marksman using Infantry’s second Summon, and that drew out Torrential Tribute from Zhou!  Leverett had one card left in hand – Reborn – to Zhou’s one backrow and two in-hand cards.  He passed.

Zhou drew to three cards in hand, now holding a dominant position in the Duel.  He Summoned another Diva to Special Summon another Marksman, then Special Summoned Leverett’s Abyssmegalo with Monster Reborn!  He Tributed Diva for Abyssmegalo’s effect, attacked with Marksman to Special Summon Atlantean Dragoons from his Deck, and then finished the Duel with Dragons plus two direct shots from Abyssmegalo!

Kenny Zhou scores a huge Torrential Tribute, and capitalizes with the classic Diva Abyssmegalo combo to take the first Duel!  Could Leverett take two games back-to-back?  Zhou just needed one more win to take a perfect Match record in the tournament.

Leverett opened with Atlantean Marksman; Abyss-sphere; Mermail Abyssteus; two Atlantean Dragoons; and Mermail Abyssmegalo.  He revealed Abyssteus and discarded Atlantean Dragoons, Special Summoning Abyssteus in Defense Position to get Mermail Abysslinde and Deep Sea Diva from his Deck.  He Set Abysslinde and Abyss-sphere.

Zhou played Deep Sea Diva to Special Summon Atlantean Marksman from his Deck, then Synchro Summoned Ally of Justice Catastor.  It attacked to destroy Abyssteus, and Zhou Set two cards to his backrow.

Leverett drew another Mermail Abyssmegalo.  He revealed one and discarded Atlantean Dragoons and Atlantean Marksman, but Zhou Chained Mind Crush!  Leverett lost both Abyssmegalos.  Zhou lost his Abyss-sphere to Marksman’s effect, not remembering to Chain it, and Leverett searched his Deck for a second Deep Sea Diva.  He ran some numbers in his head, then Normal Summoned one Diva to Special Summon Atlantean Heavy Infantry.  He Normal Summoned the second Diva next, Special Summoning Atlantean Marksman.  He Tuned Diva, Marksman, and Infantry to Synchro Summon Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier, and Special Summoned Mermail Abyssleed with Abyss-sphere!  He overlaid them both for Mermail Abyssgaios, then Flip Summoned Mermail Abysslinde.  He detached Mermail Abyssleed for Mermail Abyssgaios‘ effect, attacking over Catastor, and then attacked directly with Diva and Abysslinde.  Zhou dropped to 5700 Life Points, and Special Summoned Tragoedia.

Zhou drew to three cards in hand and debated a moment, then Set a monster.

Leverett drew Torrential Tribute.  He attacked Tragoedia with Abyssgaiois, then turned Abysslinde and Diva to Defense Position.  He Set Torrential.

Zhou revealed Abyssmegalo, and discarded Atlantean Marksman and Atlantean Dragoons to Special Summon it.  He built his Chain, then resolved it to search his Deck for Abyss-sphere and Deep Sea Diva.  He Flip Summoned Mermail Abyssgunde, then Normal Summoned Deep Sea Diva: Leverett chose not to negate its effect with Mermail Abyssgaios‘ ability, letting Zhou Special Summon Atlantean Heavy Infantry.  He Synchro Summoned Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier and discarded for its effect, targeting Abyssgaios, and Leverett negated the effect with Abyssgaios’ ability.  Zhou made Number 11: Big Eye and took Abyssgaios, attacking Diva.

Leverett drew and Set a card to his back row.

Zhou turned Number 11: Big Eye to Defense Position and attacked Abysslinde with Mermail Abyssgaios.  Leverett Special Summon Mermail Abysspike, and Zhou Set a monster.

Leverett drew and Set another card to his back row.

Zhou attacked with Abyssgaios to destroy Abysspike.

Leverett passed.

Zhou attacked with Abyssgaios, dropping Leverett to 5200 Life Points.  Zhou Set a Spell or Trap, but lost it to Mystical Space Typhoon in his End Phase.

Leverett drew, now holding Monster Reborn and Atlantean Dragoons with Torrential Tribute Set.  He Summoned Dragoons, and flipped Torrential Tribute to clear the field, destroying Zhou’s Number 11: Big Eye, Mermail Abyssgaios, and Snowman Eater!  Zhou had one in-hand card left.  Leverett had Monster Reborn.  He activated it to Special Summon back Gungnir, Dragon of the Ice Barrier, and attacked for 2500 Battle Damage.

Zhou was down to 3200 Life Points.  He drew to two cards and Summoned Mermail Abysslinde, crashing it into Gungnir to Special Summon Mermail Abyssleed.  Abyssleed swung over Gungnir to destroy it.

Leverett drew Heavy Storm and passed.

Zhou attacked for 2700 with Abyssleed.  Leverett drew a dead Tragoedia and activated Heavy Storm: Zhou Chained his Set card, Mind Crush, and missed on the call, but it was all over anyways!  Next turn Zhou made a direct attack with Abyssleed to take the win.

Kenny Zhou takes a 2-0 victory over Ben Leverett!