Ahoy!

I have a question about the Grand Melee version of Varys:

If you use a duplicate on his to save him from returning to shadows does that cancel his response? A bit confused on this one.

If Varys isn't put into shadows, then the effect doesn't go off since the cost hasn't been paid.

Not to mention the timing doesn't allow you to trigger a save response during the initiation of an effect. Step 2 opens only after play restrictions have been checked and costs have been paid (the "cannot be saved' text you see in many instances of costs are there to remind you not to try).