[hider=Picking up where we left off...]Well, since she wasn't going to do much else... "I activate Hidden Armory! At the cost of my normal summon, I can add an equip spell to my hand!" Anna activated the spell card, and retrieved the Noble Arms of Destiny from her deck, promptly shuffling it, "and with that, my turn ends!"

"Sadly for me, that means Redox has to come home. Dragon Rulers like him can't stay on the field forever when they're special summoned, and now it's time for him to return to my hand."

Anna: 7100
[b]Xi: 6900[/b]

"That said, you'll really regret not making these attacks when you've got the chance," Xi declared, making her draw. A massive grin formed on the duelist's face as she looked at the card in her hand. "And now you're about to see why. I activate the spell card Polymerization! By fusion the Buster Blader and Dark Magician in my hand, I can summon my ace-in-the-hole monster. Come on out...Dark Paladin!" The holograms of Dark Magician and Buster Blader appeared, but only for a moment as the two launched up above into a swirling blue vortex. And what came down...

A green-skinned warrior, clad in dark blue armor and carrying a massive halberd-like weapon, crashed down onto the field. When the dust cleared, the ATK/DEF indicators appeared above his head. 2900/2400. Then it started going up. "Dark Paladin gains 500 attack points for every dragon in play, both alive and kicking and deader than a doornail. Right now, there just so happens to be one in the graveyard. That means my Dark Paladin's attack goes up to 3600 points!"

Anna's eyes widened at the sight of the powerful warrior. So that was her strongest card? Overpowering that thing was going to prove tricky, especially with a much weaker warrior on her field, and no way to protect him.

"Now then, Dark Paladin, show that armored pretty boy what a [i]real[/i] warrior is capable of! Dark Magic Slash!" The image of Dark Paladin charged directly at Gawayn, and after thrusting the weapon through the Noble Knight's chest, pulled up hard and ripped the hologram clean in half, displaying a big -700 above where the Paladin stood before returning to his place on Xi's side of the field. "Your turn."

[b]Anna: 6400[/b]
Xi: 6900

Anna drew her card warily. There was a 3600-ATK monster staring her down from across the field; that would put a quick end to things if this next draw wasn't able to put up at least some kind of defense. And now, of all times, there were no monsters in her hand. Nothing that could be used at present. This didn't bode well. "I end my turn," Anna said hesitantly.

Anna: 6400
[b]Xi: 6900[/b]

"Are you deliberately holding back on me?" Xi asked, drawing her card. This was just too perfect. The duel would end here and now. "Now you'll regret it. I activate the effect of Redox in my hand! By discarding him alongside an EARTH monster such as the Exploder Dragon in my hand, I can special summon one monster from either player's Graveyard. And I choose to bring my my old Scrap Dragon!" From the "ground" beside Dark Paladin, a large rock emerged. It burst open, revealing the 2800/2000 synchro from just a few turns ago.

"And that's not all. Now there are two more dragons in my Graveyard, elevating my Dark Paladin to the lofty heights of 4600 attack points!" The numbers above Dark Paladin's head adjusted appropriately, and Xi declared "Now then, Scrap Dragon, knock out those precious Life Points of hers!"

[u]-2800[/u]

"And now the finishing move. Dark Paladin, move in for the kill! Dark Magic Slash!" Dark Paladin moved in, and attacked directly. It was over. Anna's life points had hit zero. "Next time, don't hold back on me," Xi said, stepping off the stage. Anna stepped down shortly afterward, remaining silent.[/hider]
"The winner is Xi Jones," Kim's voice declared over the speakers. "Press Dalton, please head to the stage. I'll be there shortly to duel you. Aislin MacBeth, would you be kind enough to take over up here since you lost your duel?"