Yu-Gi-Oh! - Dead Zone [FINISHED]

[Aerion Brightflame]

Why would you want Maya dead Barty? I said at the time it was possible because it was so hard to see a way out way back then, but why would you want to write a major character out... in that way? What's wrong with you man? =0

 

Agreed I never liked Yuusuke praying though. =)

 

Seriously, I loved rereading that, just for the imagination and the meaning and everything. I really dunno why I was so moany about it before. Repped it.

 

Because a main character surviving just for the sake of them being a main character is kinda boring. When, it would've been a great place to round off her story anyway. Even if the manner of death is benefiting, people can't always die in heroic situations.

 

It might be the R.R Martin coming out of me, but a main character death suddenly makes nobody else feel safe rather obviously.

 

Now I'm glad she was alive, since I love her as a character, she's probably my favourite, but killing her off there would've given me chills and felt so right with the situation.

[Vector Nightmare]

Well, I can certainly see the appeal having her plotline end at that point would have, but would you say that Maya had contributed enough to the main plot that killing her at that point would be justified? I feel that there was just too much unresolved there - the conclusion with Sinclair was built as the culmination of her personal arc, but as far as her role in the story is concerned, I really don't think I could've ended it there and made everything else work.

 

I think one of the biggest problems there was that I painted the conditions as really REALLY desperate, to the point where was no conceivably logical way for Maya to get out alive, and I ended up giving her a miraculous way as a result. Re-reading it recently, I could've afforded to make the situation a bit less over-the-top ridiculous, so the ending could in turn be a bit less of an asspull.

 

I'm further going to justify myself with the fact that when I was writing this, I hadn't yet read ASIF (abbreviated this way because you can hear it like "ASIF YOU'LL BE ALIVE BY THE END OF THE SERIES, AHAHAHAH), and had not been exposed to the epicness that butchering important characters left and right can be. If I had, Dead Zone would've had a lot more prominent corpses lying around.

 

Also, I'm glad you liked Jacqueline, Barty - her ending was also one of my favorite moments in the story, at least until that point.

 

And well, since you mentioned Christina as grossly in need of development (which I fully agree with, she got introduced at a point where everything got too chaotic and I never really managed to do her character justice), I hope the next two-chapter-set, which begins now, makes up for it to some extent, even if long overdue:

 

[spoiler=Chapter 67]

Chapter 67: Inherited Power

Trembling softly, the last great orb pulsed and waned, shutting down entirely. With a hissing noise, the defensive mechanism Infinity Gearframe was finally deactivated in front of Yenma's and Christina's eyes. Without wasting any time, Abraham Lee walked up to the gate and conjured a holographic control panel, and with a few quick strokes, the conventional locks were disabled. The door barring their progress to the upper floor burst open, revealing a spiralling, dark staircase.

"There lies your path." Lee said severely. "Be careful. Dunkan is... a brilliant, very brilliant man. Long before his rise to power, he took what others thought impossible and turned it into reality. He does not see the world with the same eyes that we do." He shook his head. "I would not absolve myself and the others of responsibility, of course. But he... one of his greatest powers, was his charisma. Whatever he said, no matter how exuberant, it instantly seemed possible - no, even likely. His ability to understand people, to deftly sway them with his words, is unparalleled. Almost as dangerous as his control of this world, which already far exceeds even the imagination of us, who have worked with him for so long. Compared to the enemies you've fought so far, Dunkan would be way beyond their league."

"Why?" Yenma asked quietly. "If... if this is as you say, why did you follow him?"

Lee allowed a small smile to reach his lips. "Why? I can't even say for sure, now... originally, I dreamed of a better world, a world where everyone could carry out their lives in peace. I don't know when that dream shattered, but in the end, duty and fear carried me through with my convictions. Maybe I still believed I could do some good, somehow... all that is gone now." He looked at the stairs, which seem to be challenging them to climb upwards. "I've done what I can to help, but the path is yours to follow."

"What will you do now, then?" Yenma asked cautiously. He was glad this man did not intend to obstruct them, but...

"There is still an old wrong to be set right." Lee sighed. "Jinrei Yenma... for a while, you will have to go on alone."

Yenma glanced at Christina, who was in turn staring at Lee with a steely expression. He did not know exactly what his companion had recalled of her shrouded past, and how Abraham Lee related to it, but it seemed this was a matter for those two to settle.

"Be careful." He mumbled.

"You, too." Christina turned to him, and Yenma was surprised to see her encouraging, confident smile. "Don't worry. It will be all right." With one last, hesitant glance back, Yenma began climbing to the next floor.

---

"...so you've remembered everything?"

"Not everything. Enough." Christina's eyes narrowed. "You took me away from my family... and had me brought into the virtual world, where I was made to duel suffering real damage, again and again, until my body couldn't stand it any longer. And now, you are going to tell me why."

Lee began talking. "At the time, around nine years ago, Duel International was actively researching anything possibly related to the Gap, the Nexus - practically everything which could be traced back to the different worlds theory. That was when a strange phenomenon happened. The sky... cracked, for lack of a better term. Crimson lines appeared in the horizon. That alone was astounding enough, but for some people, there was something more. Maybe you remember it... between those cracks, a 'rift' opened, and through it, the great red-and-gold dragon appeared for a brief moment, navigating the void..."

Christina shuddered as memories came to her, unwanted. The appearance of a monster that had caused her both terror and awe, the great phantasm that she had, even then, realized was not something of this reality...

"For some reason, that I have not puzzled out even now, the same dragon that you saw also appeared before my eyes. I'm sure that if you ask them, the other Signers will also tell you they witnessed this event, but outside of us, I don't know of anyone who saw the same thing. At the time, I aimlessly wandered, searching for a clue to explain what I had seen. Then... in the most unlikely of places, you approached me. And even before you said anything, Christina - no, Reesha - I knew that our fates were entangled by what we had witnessed."

Reesha. The name brought back another streak of memories. She almost staggered, lost as she was in the sudden resurfacing of images from a time that had been lost to her. Meanwhile, Lee continued his narration.

"I... then, I brought you to my colleagues. I honestly believed that, if we worked with you, we could make splendid process. But... the members of my group who were there at the time were Gregory Dunkan, and Cornelius Klein. Dunkan, I already told you about. Klein... was a mystery to all, even to Dunkan, I think. An enigma who has been able to influence events, even after his death... at any rate, they were both pragmatic, and bent on achieving results. To them, a human life had no value, if it meant progress. That is why... despite my protests, they proceeded with cruel and dangerous experiments. I'm ashamed to admit, that I couldn't even protest against them. Eventually, they grew impatient, and increased the rate and danger of the tests. When one of your opponents, an early prototype of the Ghost series, used the experimental card Messenger of Hades - Gors to defeat, which was one of the most dangerous cards we had produced... your mind finally collapsed. You were dead... or so we thought, but the divine intervention of your Signer Dragon saved you and brought you back. I was the only one there. If I had then revealed this fact to Dunkan... but, I didn't. I quickly whisked you away and brought you to a hospital anonymously. You had lost your memories, so there wasn't any need for me to intervene. I arranged for your past to be buried, and for you to be adopted into a nice family, hoping you could recover from these scars."

"What about... my real family...?" Christina asked hoarsely.

"Dunkan told them some story about discovering a special talent you had, and taking you to a special institution for you to develop it. With the large sum of money he produced, your parents were willing to believe it... a few months later, the news that you died in a tragic accident, along with a sizeable compensation, arrived at their house. I kept track on them for a while - it seems they are doing well now, or at least had been, before the chaos began."

"This deck, that I received..."

"They were the cards you had been using, near the end of the experimentations." Lee sighed. "You found a deep connection with them. I thought you should have them back."

For a moment, they stood still, observing each other. The girl who had had her life taken away from her. The man who had led her down that path. Christina's emotions surged, crystallizing into white-hot rage. In that instant, she forgot about where she was, and what she was trying to accomplish. All that mattered...

"..." Lee still felt a stab of pain, as he saw Christina arm her Duel Disk. In the end, this was the only way... "I am prepared for this, in order to atone for my sins." He said heavily. "But, Christina, are you prepared? To walk down the path of hatred and revenge? At the end of that path... there can be only suffering." He winced as he remembered Inoue, her tragic life and the way it ended. "Can you shoulder that burden?"

"Maybe if you had that kind of empathy when you trapped me in your virtual world, I wouldn't have had to!" Christina shouted. How many years of her life, vanquished just like that? How many tormented nights, where her dreams were twisted into nightmares, nightmares where the black gap in her memories grew to an enormous, terrible monster, threatening to devour her? No... there was a limit, to what could be forgiven just like that. Her fragmented memories of the old life that she had irrevocably lost fueled her pain and anger. Within her heart, the spirit of Ancient Fairy roared, resonating with her feelings.

Christina... Elemental Master Dryad appeared beside her in spectral form, whispering in her mind. This fight, is this really necessary?

Yes. The girl said steadily. She would put an end to the past that was holding her back, here and now.

Very well. Then I will assist you. She felt the comforting presence vanish into the recesses of her mind. Her new deck glowed briefly as she placed it in the designated slot.

"Use your God Mode." She commanded, as Lee materialized a conventional Duel Disk on his arm and equipped it with his own cards. "Don't even think of taking this lightly."

"I'm not." Abraham Lee said calmly. "But I will not use God Mode. If I fight you, I'll fight you as myself, and if I die, I'll die as myself. I will not hide inside a machine."

"So be it." Christina snatched her opening hand of cards. Lee followed suit.

"Duel!!"

 

Nightshade - LP: 4000
Abraham Lee - LP: 4000

"I'll start, draw! I play the Field magic and Continuous magic cards, Ancient City - Rainbow Ruin and Gem Tree!" The ruined colosseum with the four stone pillars took form around them. Beside her, a peculiar tree sprouted whose seven branches each bore a differently-colored crystal, all of which were dull at the moment.

[spoiler=Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins]Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins
SPELL / Field
This card gets these effects, based on the number of "Gem Beast" cards in your Spell & Trap Card Zone. • 1+: This card cannot be destroyed by a card effect. • 2+: Once per turn, you can halve the Battle Damage you take. • 3+: You can send 1 "Gem Beast" monster you control to the Graveyard to negate the activation of a Spell or Trap Card and destroy it. • 4+: Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can draw 1 card. • 5+: Once per turn, during your Main Phase, you can Special Summon 1 "Gem Beast" card from your Spell & Trap Card Zone.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Gem Tree]Gem Tree
SPELL / Continuous
Each time a "Gem Beast" monster(s) is placed in either player's Spell & Trap Card Zone: Place 1 Crystal Counter on this card. You can send this card to the Graveyard; take a number of "Gem Beast" monsters from your Deck equal to the number of Crystal Counters that were on this card, then place those monsters face-up in your Spell & Trap Card Zone as Continuous Spell Cards.[/spoiler]

"Next, I summon Gem Beast Sapphire Pegasus, in attack mode!" Spreading its gold wings, a white horse featuring a long horn on its forehead appeared, snarling angrily. Christina felt her monster's pulse. This was indeed her true deck, a deck of beautiful, indomitable creatures that would fight beside her. She placed her hand on the Gem Beast's mane, feeling its reassuring solid form.

[spoiler=Gem Beast Sapphire Pegasus]Gem Beast Sapphire Pegasus
WIND / Beast
Level 4
1800/1200
When this card is Summoned, you can place 1 "Gem Beast" monster from your hand, Deck, or Graveyard, face-up in your Spell & Trap Card Zone; it is treated as a Continuous Spell Card. If this card is destroyed while it is in a Monster Card Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Card Zone as a Continuous Spell Card instead of sending it to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"I activate the effect of Sapphire Pegasus, taking a Gem Beast from my deck and moving it straight to the Spell and Trap card zone." Christina declared. "Gem Beasts have two forms - when their monster form is destroyed, they become sealed into crystals, and appear as Continuous Spell cards. So I will bring out another copy of Sapphire Pegasus." Behind the winged horse, a large sapphire crystal materialized, glowing faintly. "When a Gem Beast is placed on the Spell and Trap zone, Gem Tree gains one Crystal Counter." One of the stones attached to the strange tree ignited with a blue light.

[spoiler=Gem Contract]Gem Contract
SPELL / Normal
Target 1 "Crystal Beast" card in your Spell & Trap Card Zone; Special Summon that target.[/spoiler]

"I'm not done yet, though! I activate Gem Contract from my hand, Special Summoning the crystallized Sapphire Pegasus!" The glow around the sapphire intensified, and the gemstone shattered to reveal a second winged horse, identical to the first. "The effect of Sapphire Pegasus activates again, moving Gem Beast Ruby Carbuncle to my Spell and Trap card zone." A ruby appeared where the sapphire had just vanished, and a second crystal on the Gem Tree shone.

[spoiler=Gem Beast Ruby Carbuncle]Gem Beast Ruby Carbuncle
LIGHT / Fairy
Level 3
300/300
When this card is Special Summoned, you can Special Summon as many "Gem Beast" cards as possible from your Spell & Trap Card Zone. If this card is destroyed while it is in a Monster Card Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Card Zone as a Continuous Spell Card, instead of sending it to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"And now, the second effect of Gem Tree activates! I can send this Spell card to the Graveyard, and then I can retrieve a number of Gem Beasts up to its Crystal counters, and move them to the Spell and Trap card zone! So I will also bring out Gem Beasts Cobalt Eagle and Amber Mammoth!" Cobalt and amber gems appeared around the ruby one. Four already...

[spoiler=Gem Beast Cobalt Eagle]Gem Beast Cobalt Eagle
WIND / Winged Beast
Level 4
1400/800
Once per turn, you can return 1 face-up "Gem Beast" card you control to the top of its owner's Deck. If this card is destroyed while it is in a Monster Card Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Card Zone as a Continuous Spell Card, instead of sending it to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Gem Beast Amber Mammoth]Gem Beast Amber Mammoth
EARTH / Beast
Level 4
1700/1600
When another face-up "Gem Beast" monster you control is targeted for an attack: You can make this card the attack target instead. If this face-up card is destroyed while it is in a Monster Card Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Card Zone as a Continuous Spell Card, instead of sending it to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"I place one card face-down. Turn end!"

Lee added a sixth card to his hand quietly. "Christina, your dueling ability, nurtured in that terrible environment, is exceptional. For this, I will not hold back... I call Summon Priest to the field, activating its effect to switch him to defense position." The old sage in purple and white appeared on the field, kneeling in a meditative stance.

[spoiler=Summon Priest]Summon Priest
DARK / Spellcaster
Level 4
800/1600
Cannot be Tributed. When this card is Normal or Flip Summoned: Change this card to Defense Position. Once per turn: You can discard 1 Spell Card; Special Summon 1 Level 4 monster from your Deck, but that monster cannot attack this turn.[/spoiler]

"Summon Priest's effect. I discard the Spell card, Vairon Segment from my hand, in order to Special Summon the Level 4 monster, Vairon Prism, to the field." The mage was shrouded in a sphere of violet light, and next to him, a portal of the same color materialized, from which a gold-and-white mechanical monster with odd geometrical symmetry, resembling a robotic body without a face floating in mid-air, emerged.

[spoiler=Vairon Prism]Vairon Prism
LIGHT / Thunder / Tuner
Level 4
1500/1500
If this card is sent from the Monster Card Zone to the Graveyard: You can pay 500 Life Points to target 1 face-up monster you control; equip this card to that target. If the equipped monster attacks or is attacked: It gains 1000 ATK during the Damage Step only.[/spoiler]

"Vairon...?" Christina frowned. Even backed up by her partially recovered memory, which included many, many duels, she had never heard of this monster archetype before.

Be careful. Dryad whispered to her. There are no records of these monsters' existence!

"Vairon... perhaps you could call this deck, the materialization of my ideal." Lee sighed. "A world where everyone exists as part of a whole, harmoniously contributing to its growth, and where nothing is wasted or lost... I should have realized it much earlier, what a foolish ideal this is. Regardless, right now, this is what you have to face. I tune the Level 4, Summon Priest, to the Level 4 Vairon Prism!" The robot disintegrated into four rings of golden light, which filed into a single array. The priest was wrapped in a spiral of energy, his body dissolving into four violet stars that jumped through the series of rings, coalescing into a brilliant mirage. "Synchro Summon! Vairon Epsilon!"

The monster that appeared was a huge flying construct, formed out of a lean body and two large circular wings spreading on its sides. Its entire armored mass glowed silver, and a huge golden halo was attached to its back.

[spoiler=Vairon Epsilon]Vairon Epsilon
LIGHT / Fairy / Synchro
Level 8
2800/1200
1 LIGHT Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
Equip Cards equipped to this card cannot be targeted by cards or effects. Once per turn: You can send 1 Equip Card equipped to this card to the Graveyard to target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy that target.[/spoiler]

Despite her anger, Christina couldn't help but admire the marvel of the Vairon Synchro monster, which looked like a robotic angel.

"The effect of Vairon Prism activates from my Graveyard." Lee continued. "All I have to do is give up 500 of my Life Points, and Vairon Prism can equip itself onto one of my monsters - naturally, I target Vairon Epsilon." A spectral image of Prism reappeared, quickly absorbed into the massive floating robot. Lee cringed slightly, as his Life Points fell. Beads of sweat appeared on his forehead and temples. This was not the first time he was dueling today.

 

Nightshade - LP: 4000
Abraham Lee - LP: 3500

"Anything equipped on Vairon Epsilon cannot be targeted by your card effects. And now... Vairon Epsilon, attack Sapphire Pegasus! And Vairon Prism's effect activates when it is equipped - Vairon Epsilon gains plus 1000 attack!" A massive energy sphere gathered before Epsilon, released into a massive cannon blast. Christina raised her arms, shielding herself from the gigantic explosion.

"I activate the effect of Rainbow Ruins, cutting down the battle damage by half!" She groaned. "And then, Sapphire Pegasus activates its own effect, moving to my Spell and Trap card zone!" The impact still blasted her backwards, causing her to almost lose her balance. Panting heavily, she recovered her footing.

 

Nightshade - LP: 3000
Abraham Lee - LP: 3500

"Moving past my battle phase, I activate Epsilon's other effect." Lee continued coolly. "By sending the equipped Vairon Prism to the Graveyard, I can destroy one of your monsters. Since your Spell and Trap card zones are all occupied, Sapphire Pegasus won't be able to crystallize." Epsilon released a much smaller blast, incinerating her second Pegasus and leaving her field empty of monsters.

"I set a card. Turn end." Christina drew her next card, frowning slightly.

"It was a mistake to fill up your Spell card zone completely." Lee noted. "With this, you cannot activate any Spell cards while your Gem Beasts are frozen in it, and with just four of them, you can't use your field card's last effect. Back then, you had realized this detriment almost immediately."

"I am not the same as back then, and this deck is not the same either." Christina snapped. "I activate the effect of Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins. With four Gem Beasts in my Spell and Trap zone, once per turn, I can draw once." She added yet another card to her growing hand. "First, I summon Sunny Pixie." A pink-haired fairy with four diaphanous wings appeared in her field, dancing around merrily. "And now... since there are three or more Continuous Spell cards on my side of the field, I can Special Summon this monster from my hand!" She held up one of her cards, and a dark aura wrapped around it. The tiny fairy looked anxiously as beside her, a sphere of purple light formed, gradually taking the shape of a dragon... however, it was a thing far removed from the fabled skyborne legends. Its body was sickly and skinny, tainted in a light grey color coated with purple fur. Its horns were like skeletal tree branches, and its thin torn wings spread out like a macabre statue. Its face was the image of agony.

[spoiler=Sunny Pixie]Sunny Pixie
LIGHT / Fairy / Tuner
Level 1
300/400
If this card is sent to the Graveyard for the Synchro Summon of a LIGHT Synchro Monster, gain 1000 Life Points.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Bad End Queen Dragon]Bad End Queen Dragon
DARK / Dragon
Level 6
1900/2600
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned by controlling 3 or more face-up Continuous Spell Cards. When this attacking card inflicts Battle Damage to your opponent, your opponent selects and sends 1 card from their hand to the Graveyard, and you draw 1 card. During your Standby Phase, if this card is in your Graveyard and was sent there from the field, you can send 1 face-up Continuous Spell Card you control to the Graveyard to Special Summon this card from the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"Bad End Queen Dragon..." Lee muttered. "To go as far as to add such a monster..."

"Do you think the thematic is unfitting?" Christina demanded. "Do you feel I would be happy, with the fake life you gave to me to ease your own consciousness? Do you think I would simply forgive you for taking everything away from me in the first place? No, the Dragon Queen is quite fitting for this duel, but she won't be staying for long now. I tune the Level 6, Bad End Queen Dragon, to the Level 1, Sunny Pixie!" The two controversial monsters exploded in six spheres of black light, forming a pathway through a brightly shining golden ring. "Synchro Summon! Appear now, my sacred light!" The embodiment of a miracle, the serpentine blue body flanked by the diaphanous butterfly wings, sporting glorious gold and crimson ornaments, materialized through the glorious mirage. "Ancient Fairy Dragon!!"

[spoiler=Ancient Fairy Dragon]Ancient Fairy Dragon
LIGHT / Dragon / Synchro
Level 7
2100/3000
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner Monsters
Once per turn, you can Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower monster from your hand. You cannot conduct your Battle Phase the turn you activate this effect. Once per turn, you can destroy a Field Spell Card. If you do, gain 1000 Life Points, and you can add 1 Field Spell Card from your Deck to your hand.[/spoiler]

However, something was wrong. Ancient Fairy opened her mouth and screamed, a piercing sound that reverbated through the arena. Her eyes blazed crimson, and her whole body was wrapped in an aura of shadows. Christina suddenly fell to her knees, clutching her head in pain.

"Christina, hatred is not your true self." Lee said, eyeing the tainted dragon sorrowfully. "It is alright to feel pain, alright to feel anger. But if you give in to the pain, if you surrender yourself to rage... you will lose yourself. You will lose everything."

"Thanks to you, I have nothing to lose!" Christina shouted in response. "Before anything else... I will get my revenge for my life, for the family you took me away from... you should have just left me to die that day!"

"Don't say that!" Lee shouted back desperately. "Christina, I... not one day passes, that I do not regret having dragged you into this. If I could, I'd take it all back, everything! But... I can't do it. Even with the power of the Nexus, which I once sought, I cannot simply erase the world's darkness. I had no choice but to give you a new life in place of the old one, because if Dunkan even suspected you had survived that last experiment, he'd certainly find you again and bring you back. But the very fact that you survived, thanks to this creature... isn't it a miracle in and on itself? Do not betray yourself and the dragon that saved your life, by throwing it away!"

"Shut up! Sunny Pixie's effect restores my Life Points, since she was used to Synchro Summon a Light monster! And Ancient Fairy's effect Special Summons Gem Beast Emerald Turtle to my field in defense mode, as long as I skip my Battle Phase for this turn!" A light green portal appeared next to the majestic dragon, and a turtle bearing a heavy emerald on its back, its head hidden within its shell, appeared. Both of Christina's monsters were in defense mode, sporting formidable scores of 3000 and 2000 respectively - a difficult wall to break.

 

Nightshade - LP: 4000
Abraham Lee - LP: 3500

[spoiler=Gem Beast Emerald Turtle]Gem Beast Emerald Turtle
WATER / Aqua
Level 3
600/2000
Once per turn, you can change 1 of your monsters that attacked this turn to Defense Position. If this card is destroyed while it is in a Monster Card Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Card Zone as a Continuous Spell Card, instead of sending it to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"I end my turn." Christina said spitefully. "Do your worst. I'll be ready."

---

Lee couldn't suppress his sorrow as he watched the girl which had become the only ray of hope he could cling to now, face him with raw hatred. He believed that, as long as Christina could find the redemption she deserved, the wrong he had committed could be at least offset a little. He had dedicated this last effort towards giving her some semblance of peace. But was he failing again, was he only capable of bringing her more sorrow? He looked at the two cards he held. If only, through this duel, he found a way to convey his feelings... It looks like, going all-out is the only way available to me from the beginning.

"I summon Vairon Sphere." He said heavily. A small round robot appeared in the general white-and-gold color scheme, probes serving as legs.

[spoiler=Vairon Sphere]Vairon Sphere
LIGHT / Machine / Tuner
Level 1
400/400
If this card is sent from the Monster Card Zone to the Graveyard: You can pay 500 Life Points to target 1 face-up monster you control; equip this card to that target. You can send this Equip Card to the Graveyard to target 1 Equip Spell Card in your Graveyard; equip that target to the monster this card was equipped to.[/spoiler]

"And now... the Level 8 monster, Vairon Epsilon, and the Level 1 Tuner, Vairon Sphere... unite, to forge the light that heralds the dawn of the world! Synchro Summon! Vairon Alpha!!" The two creatures spiralled into a file of light, a giant beacon that shone throughout the entire floor with radiance. Another great robotic angel materialized out of the gateway, a beast with radiant silver armor and wings, floating on two light-forged rings. The triangle-shaped golden armor on its back resembled its letter namesake, and the roman numeral I on its chest gave away its superior ranking.

[spoiler=Vairon Alpha]Vairon Alpha
LIGHT / Machine / Synchro
Level 9
2200/1100
1 "Vairon" Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
When this card is Synchro Summoned: You can target 1 Equip Spell Card in your Graveyard; equip that target to this card. While this card is equipped with an Equip Card, it cannot be destroyed by Spell/Trap effects, except for Equip Cards.[/spoiler]

"Alpha... its offensive power is weaker than Epsilon." Christina observed darkly. "If you gave up Epsilon's ability to destroy Ancient Fairy, together with Vairon Prism..."

"Vairon Alpha's effect activates when it is Synchro Summoned." Lee stated. "I can equip to it the Vairon Segment that I discarded for Summon Priest's effect. And then, Vairon Sphere's effect also activates, letting me equip it to Vairon Alpha at a cost of 500 of my Life Points."

[spoiler=Vairon Segment]Vairon Segment
SPELL / Equip
Equip only to a "Vairon" monster. It cannot be targeted by the opponent's monster effects or Trap effects. If this face-up card on the field is sent to the Graveyard: You can add 1 "Vairon" Spell Card from your Deck to your hand.[/spoiler]

 

Nightshade - LP: 4000
Abraham Lee - LP: 3000

"Now Alpha's defense is complete." Lee said, recovering from the impact of the consumed Life Points. "While Alpha is equipped with an Equip card, it cannot be destroyed by the effects of Spell or Trap cards. And while Vairon Segment is equipped to Vairon Alpha, it will stop all monster or Trap effects from targetting my monster."

"I will find a way through to you." Christina growled.

"Maybe so." Lee sighed. "Alpha... eliminate Emerald Turtle." The frontal cannon of the great floating robot launched a golden beam, incinerating the gem creature without giving it a chance to reform.

Lee watched the girl as she steadied herself, glaring at him. No, she was not looking at him at all. Her eyes, resonating darkly with a black aura, were looking at something beyond him. Blinded by her desire for vengeance, her raging emotions were quickly driving her into a mad frenzy. If she couldn't be pulled back... it would be too late.

Nakahara Inoue... like this girl, she led a shattered and tortured life. The result... He reminisced upon the lifeless statue, the final symbol of the broken woman's misery. He had failed to even touch her heart until it was too late, and now he would fail again, unable to amend even one of his many fatal mistakes. "I end my turn." He muttered.

---

"My turn!" Christina growled. With every passing moment, more and more of her memories returned, and her rage swelled up even higher. This man... if not for him, and his allies... she would erase him, and put an end to the past that was haunting her even now! "During my Standby Phase... by sending Gem Beast Cobalt Eagle from my Spell card zone to the Graveyard, Bad End Queen Dragon returns to the field!" The hideous dragon reappeared, resonating with her soul. In her heart, she heard whispered words, desperate pleas - she thought she even heard the pained cry of the fairy dragon, but she ignored them. Right now... the only thing that mattered was victory. "Then, I activate the Spell card, Rare Value. You must now choose to send any of my Gem Beasts from my Spell and Trap card zone to the graveyard. In return, I can draw twice."

[spoiler=Rare Value]Rare Value
SPELL / Normal
If there are 2 or more face-up "Gem Beast" cards in your Spell & Trap Card Zone: Your opponent chooses 1 "Gem Beast" card in your Spell & Trap Card Zone and sends it to the Graveyard, then you draw 2 cards.[/spoiler]

"Very well... I choose Ruby Carbuncle." Lee said heavily. The glowing red crystal shattered and vanished, and Christina snatched the uppermost two cards of her deck. She smirked as she identified them. Perfect. "I sacrifice Bad End Queen Dragon, to Advance Summon Light Emperor Kreis!" The grotesque dragon queen disappeared, and a golden golem materialized in her place, its thick armor resembling a royal attire. "When Kreis is summoned, I can destroy up to two cards on the field!"

[spoiler=Light Emperor Kreis]Light Emperor Kreis
LIGHT / Warrior
Level 6
2400/1000
When this card is Normal or Special Summoned, you can destroy up to 2 cards on the field. For each card destroyed, that card's controller draws 1 card. This card cannot attack during the turn it is Normal or Special Summoned.[/spoiler]

"That kind of effect is useless in front of Vairon Alpha." Lee noted. "At best you could get rid of his Equip cards, but..."

"Kreis, destroy Sapphire Pegasus and Amber Mammoth from my Spell and Trap card zone!" Christina ordered, catching her opponent completely by surprise. The monarch turned, unleashing bolts of lightning that obliterated the two remaining precious stones.

"For every card Kreis destroys, the owner of that card can draw once." Christina added two more cards to her hand. "Now... there are no more Gem Beasts in my Spell and Trap card zone, so I can do this! I activate Ancient Fairy Dragon's effect, destroying Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins!" The dragon cried out, begging her to stop, but she raised her hand demanding obedience. An emerald pulse swept across the centuries-old arena, disintegrating it entirely. "Because of this, I gain a thousand Life Points, and can then add a new Field Spell from my deck to my hand. The card I choose..." She turned around the card ejected from her deck pile slowly, and Lee shuddered as he felt the sinister aura wrapped around a card he had never seen before.

 

Nightshade - LP: 5000
Abraham Lee - LP: 3000

"I activate... Advanced Dark!"

She howled in agony as a dark magic circle formed under her feet, expanding to a ring that enveloped the entire chamber. Shadows formed within, creating a ghastly scenery.

[spoiler=Advanced Dark]Advanced Dark
SPELL / Field
All "Gem Beast" monsters on the field and in the Graveyard become DARK. If "Rainbow Dragon" or "Rainbow Dark Dragon" attacks, negate the effects of the attack target during that Battle Phase. During damage calculation, if a "Gem Beast" monster you control battles and you would take damage: You can send 1 "Gem Beast" monster from your Deck to the Graveyard; you take no Battle Damage from that battle.[/spoiler]

"Christina...?" Lee's voice was unsteady. The girl's eyes were hidden by her hair, as she was slightly hunched, looking down. Slowly, she raised her head, and the bangs of her hair fell apart, revealing her face. The eyes that glared back at him were lifeless, void.

The fairy dragon that had been her guardian screeched and thrashed, trying to resist. But in the end, the force of the Field Spell was too strong, and she bent knee to its dark magic. Shadows wrapped around her, and her magical aura became a radiant black.

---

Yenma fell on his knees, a blinding pain surging through his mind. "Christina..." He mumbled. Something bad had happened to her, he knew it. "Hold on, I'll be coming to - " But he couldn't. The Aria Tower's eight floor was a huge maze, and try as he might, he had gotten lost within the first few minutes of his arrival here. He knew neither the way to proceed, nor the way to go back. He grabbed the Blackfeather Dragon card from his deck. It was pulsing weakly, and Yenma thought he felt great pain emanating from the sacred beast, reflecting Christina's pain. Whatever had happened was affecting him as well, and Kiishiro too - he could also feel his own resonating agony through their invisible bond that tied their hearts as Signers. The mark of the dragon appeared on his arm, but it was faded and weak, as if its power was being suppressed.

Even given how quickly events had blazed by these past few days, Yenma had not known Christina for that long. They had only spoken to each other a few times. Yet somehow, he felt like he could understand her, just a little. Though their circumstances were diametrically different, Yenma realized that what dominated Christina's feelings was not rage or hatred. It was the feeling of not belonging, of being unable to find one's place in the world.

Solitude.

Yenma gritted his teeth, pushing himself up through the pain. "Damnit..." He growled, rubbing his marked arm. "You are... not alone..." But, helpless as he was, the only thing he could do right now was pray for her.

---

"Less than... an hour left..."

Time left: 0:57:06

Kiishiro had finally managed to shake off his pursuers. Though he had destroyed a great number of Cataphracts - the word 'kill' did not come so easily - there were many, too many to fight through and live.

He had finally managed to catch a break... his entire body ached from exhaustion, as if it was being torn apart, but the pain stabbing through the mark on his arm, all the way through his mind, was much worse. He could sense Christina writhing in agony, a pain he was not unfamiliar with. He consulted the holographic display. Yuko, Takechi and Sugita were in the 3rd, 5th and 6th floor respectively. Their fights had apparently been finished, as the signature monsters they had summoned had vanished. Given that the signals were still active, they had presumably all won, which was just as well. Yuusuke's and Maya's signals had faded to almost nothingness. He had no idea what was happening to them, and he did not care. And lastly... Yenma and Christina, were close to the top. Yenma had advanced to the 8th floor, while Christina was left behind... obviously, she was caught up in a fight, a fight that was pushing her to the very limit of sanity. The resonating pain alone was enough to bring him to the brink of fainting.

And in the meantime, he was no closer to getting past the first floor that he had been in the beginning. He had been fighting only weak, mindless enemies, but the sheer volume of them, the necessity to keep his monsters summoned at all times, had overwhelmed him. They had one hour left, and he was no closer to reaching Dunkan. After the time limit passed, they would either all be dead or worse, or Dunkan would be in control of the Nexus... either situation was an almost certainly irreversible scenario. And yet here he was, unable to do anything about it.

"Damnit..." He breathed, collapsing against the floor. They were powerless. Just as he had been unable to prevent Ebony from taking away his mother. How he had failed to save her, again and again. How everything he did, everything he was destined to do, could well destroy everything. He placed his face between his hands, barely suppressing his tears. After all he did, after how he hardened himself so much, after all the people, the living humans he killed in his path to become strong...

...how was he still this weak?

---

Christina breathed, in and out. It was a painful, cruel routine. Everything hurt and at the same time, everything was numb, as if frozen in the darkness. The pain might as well have been someone else's. Through the shadows of her new Field spell, she glanced at her opponent. He seemed... less defined now, more surreal. The middle-aged man had transformed into an amorphous black mass, mingling with the shadows around him.

Not that it mattered to her. To her, winning this was all that was important. And now all the pieces for victory were set.

"Activate... Name Reasoning." She muttered. "You must declare a monster Level, and I will then reveal cards from my deck, until a monster that can be Normal Summoned is revealed. If that monster's Level matches the one you called, all the revealed cards along with it go to the Graveyard. Otherwise, I can Special Summon that monster."

[spoiler=Name Reasoning]Name Reasoning
SPELL / Normal
Your opponent declares a monster Level. Reveal cards from the top of your Deck until you reveal a monster that can be Normal Summoned. If that monster is the same Level as the one declared by your opponent, send all revealed cards to the Graveyard. If not, Special Summon the revealed monster, also send the remaining cards to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

Her enemy paused for a moment, as if in thought. "Level four." He called out finally. Christina quietly picked up a second copy of her Ancient City, Gem Flood, and...

"Gem Beast Topaz Tiger." She admitted. "Level 4. Topaz Tiger, and the remaining two cards, are sent to the Graveyard. I activate Monster Gate, releasing Kreis for its cost." The Light Emperor disappeared in a portal of blue light. "Monster Gate lets me reveal cards from the top of my deck again - the first revealed monster that can be Normal Summoned, will be called to the field." Once more, she plucked out Cyclone, Gem Blessing, and Last Resort - before finally...

"Get. I Special Summon Gem Beast Amethyst Cat!" The lean feline, the last of the seven Gem Beasts, materialized on her field in attack mode.

[spoiler=Monster Gate]Monster Gate
SPELL / Normal
Tribute 1 monster; reveal cards from the top of your Deck until you reveal a monster that can be Normal Summoned. Special Summon it, also send the other revealed cards to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Gem Beast Amethyst Cat]Gem Beast Amethyst Cat
EARTH / Beast
Level 3
1200/400
This card can attack your opponent directly. When it does so using this effect, any Battle Damage it inflicts to your opponent is halved. If this card is destroyed while it is in a Monster Card Zone, you can place it face-up in your Spell & Trap Card Zone as a Continuous Spell Card, instead of sending it to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"The stage is now set." She whispered. "I trigger my face-down card - Rainbow Gravity!" A rainbow-shaped hieroglyph formed over her head, carved out of stone, featuring seven orifices meant for the preservation of sacred gemstones, each filled with a different gem - but all were dull, drained of color. "With this... the seven Gem Beasts, that currently exist in the Graveyard, and on my side of the field..."

[spoiler=Rainbow Gravity]Rainbow Gravity
TRAP / Normal
If you have 7 "Gem Beast" cards with different names on the field or in your Graveyard: Special Summon 1 "Rainbow Dragon" or "Rainbow Dark Dragon" from your Deck or Graveyard, ignoring the Summoning conditions.[/spoiler]

"Sapphire Pegasus!" She commanded, and the first blue stone lit up. "Ruby Carbuncle!" A red gem next to the first. "Emerald Turtle! Cobalt Eagle! Amber Mammoth!" Green, brown, yellow crystals. "Topaz Tiger!" Orange. "And Amethyst Cat!" Finally, the last, purple gemstone ignited. The stone shattered, revealing a true rainbow within that expanded, forming a pathway...

But the light of the rainbow subsided, giving way to darkness. The colors were twisted, warped, and the souls of the Gem Beasts that had been used to light up the crystals cried out in agony.

"When Rainbow Gravity's condition is fulfilled... I can Special Summon this monster from my deck, ignoring any summoning requirements." Christina whispered. She held out a card, dyed full black.

"Arise from the everlasting darkness." She chanted, holding up the card which slowly revealed its form, creating a vortex overhead. "Unleash your true form from beyond the edge of the pitch-black rainbow... appear now, Rainbow Dark Dragon!!"

[spoiler=Rainbow Dark Dragon]Rainbow Dark Dragon
DARK / Dragon
Level 10
4000/0
Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by banishing 7 DARK monsters with different names from your Graveyard, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. You can banish all other DARK monsters you control and from your Graveyard; this card gains 500 ATK for each card banished this way.[/spoiler]

The phantom dragon of the rainbow descended upon the field, its serpentine body forming from the gaseous shadows. The array of gemstones embedded itself into its body, blazing with a sinister glow. Pitch-black feathered wings framed a metallic dark body. The beast reared its terrible head, unleashing a scream of fury.

"And now, Ancient Fairy switches to attack mode. Prepare yourself for my dragon's judgment." Christina rasped, raising her hand. The cursed beast prepared to launch its assault.

[/spoiler]

[Aerion Brightflame]

Well, I can certainly see the appeal having her plotline end at that point would have, but would you say that Maya had contributed enough to the main plot that killing her at that point would be justified? I feel that there was just too much unresolved there - the conclusion with Sinclair was built as the culmination of her personal arc, but as far as her role in the story is concerned, I really don't think I could've ended it there and made everything else work.

 

Probably not, but I think that doesn't always have to be the case. I personally like the idea behind a main character dying when there personal plot resolved, and then having the story work and develop around that. I mean the death itself would cast a much bleaker picture (Not that it would've been much), but just something to really force the reality home, since none of them had actually been in the real world whilst it was all falling apart, and it really leaves out a sense of scale for the characters, of just how bleak it is. The death there would've hammered it in. Just my thoughts of course.

 

I think one of the biggest problems there was that I painted the conditions as really REALLY desperate, to the point where was no conceivably logical way for Maya to get out alive, and I ended up giving her a miraculous way as a result. Re-reading it recently, I could've afforded to make the situation a bit less over-the-top ridiculous, so the ending could in turn be a bit less of an asspull.

 

I think it being less desperate would've cheapened the emotion from the scene. Since as you said, it's the conclusion of probably the most emtional personal story arc (Kiishiro's doesn't count for me because I never connected to him enough. He's felt kinda bland as a character, probably more to do with the fact he got put into his story role before his character was particularly seen so he didn't have the same character base to play around with to start with than bad writing).

 

You did write it into a bind, but I think there would've been a better way to resolve it, even if it was just a bit of foreshadowing (And not having the praying for miracles). I think the idea that it wasn't just coming to accept herself, but to surpass herself. Not in terms of dueling or anything, but in terms of person, her character had these flaws, arguably some self esteem issues. Rather than running away from her past, accepting her future, surpassing the person she was at Sinclair's inception. You really focused on the whole: I won't lose to myself part, which I think was a better part to focus on. Because it wasn't just Sinclair she had to do it to, but herself.

 

I could probably ramble on about that for hours, so I'll stop now. Since I don't think any of it made sense really.

 

I'm further going to justify myself with the fact that when I was writing this, I hadn't yet read ASIF (abbreviated this way because you can hear it like "ASIF YOU'LL BE ALIVE BY THE END OF THE SERIES, AHAHAHAH), and had not been exposed to the epicness that butchering important characters left and right can be. If I had, Dead Zone would've had a lot more prominent corpses lying around.

 

That made me chuckle. Seriously though, I think R.R. Martin overdoes it. To much main character death cheapens everyone (That and he only gets away with it because it's spread over such a long period of text... And even then). A couple of main character deaths is perfect in mind, when timed well at least. And reading up to it, that moment felt perfect for it.

 

Also review of 59-60 since I finished them as well:

 

Well... again it doesn't make me feel particularly sympathetic towards Kiishiro, despite being a moment that really demanded it. I don't what it is about him that bothers me so. It was a really nice situation, even if you could see something similar happening from quite a way off. I think that you possibly could've chosen a better deck opposiite. Not like LIGHT and DARK, but things that are opposite thematically in how they play.

 

The duel was well handled. Loved the little after moment with them destroying the instrument of destruction and all. Overall it was really good. Not my favourite, but still really really good.

[Synchronized]

I almost marked out for a minute when Christina played Advanced Dark because I thought Ancient Faerie Dragon was going to make an appearance and it's a personal favorite.  Granted, I get why you didn't given this is the 5D's setting and that card wasn't even around at the time, but I was still on-edge waiting to see that happen.

 

The story was really well done there and while he's obviously made mistakes in the past, Lee's character is sympathetic and you actually can picture yourself being in his position.  I must say I'm intrigued to see where Christina goes from here and what you're going to come up with to get her back to herself.  Either that, or maybe she's going to stay exactly as she is and give into the darkness completely in some kind of BlackWarGreymon character change.

 

Either way, really good!  I'm amazed by your ability to write duels; that's the one thing I really struggle with.  I'm working on Chapter 3 of Accel now and I have to write the first duel and I'm just having such a hard time with it. -_-

 

Keep up the good work!

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

Because a main character surviving just for the sake of them being a main character is kinda boring. When, it would've been a great place to round off her story anyway. Even if the manner of death is benefiting, people can't always die in heroic situations.

 

It might be the R.R Martin coming out of me, but a main character death suddenly makes nobody else feel safe rather obviously.

 

Now I'm glad she was alive, since I love her as a character, she's probably my favourite, but killing her off there would've given me chills and felt so right with the situation.

 

But dying out there all on her own, with no-one to witness it and take the immediate impact of the death so a huge character, kinda blunts the long term effect with an arc to go.

 

Tbh, I think my entire problem with this chapter when it came out was the amount of Yuusuke feeling distracting from Maya. I don't dislike Yuusuke and obviously some was merited, I think it just got a bit much, particularly with the two offshoots to him, and the final truth resolution being 'I need to admit I need Yuusuke'. People in general probably Maya, not just Yuusuke <_< I dunno, otherwise it was amazing.

 

Anyway, by the bye (although nice to be discussing this two years on) Should catch up with this sometime next week, fingers crossed.

[Vector Nightmare]

Well, in the end, regarding Maya: she could've died vs Sinclair, opening up a... different way for the rest of the story to resolve. Yuusuke could've taken up her part and have a more revenge-driven storyline. It would be... different. Better in some ways, worse in others probably... no way to tell now. Ah well, I hope the eventual conclusion of her storyline is satisfactory nonetheless. Very much appreciating those comments regarding her characterization, though - and those of other characters as well.

 

Regarding Ancient Fairie (and the other Duel Dragon forms of the Signer Dragons) - their inclusion was considered when I picked this back up. But not all of them were revealed with their RL effects at the point and it would be awkward to mix-and-match the ones with the others, so I just decided against it. Then the rest were all revealed shortly after I had written the finale... meh. It was probably too late in the story for them to have any significant contribution anyway, besides some "ohshit!" last minute pulls... I think I may have enough of those anyway.

 

And now chapter 68 and the conclusion of Christina's and Lee's duel... expected, unexpected; works, doesn't; like it, dislike it - only one way to find out. Read ahead!

 

[spoiler=Chapter 68]
Chapter 68: Awakening

"...it's close, now. The moment we've built up to, throughout all these years..."

Gregory Dunkan lightly caressed the smooth surface of the gate in front of him, a circular door protected by a complex lock system. In an hour's time, when the portal sealed within was fully aligned with the Nexus, this door would literally become the gateway to lead to the final destination. To the goal he had been chasing after for what felt like an eternity. And to the ultimate power.

"And yet you seem awfully calm about it." Lynette chirped in from the other side of the room, where she was observing the situation in the tower through one of the control chamber's various monitors. "No second thoughts, no last minute regrets? Things could still go wrong, you know."

Dunkan looked at her. Despite her saying those words, Lynette was the one who appeared completely calm. He sighed. "My only regret, is that us two are the only ones left to reap this triumph."

"Oh? That was more sentimental than I had expected." Lynette responded. "I was under the impression you would gladly sacrifice everything, for the sake of your goal."

"I would, but that doesn't mean I can't feel sorry about it." Dunkan admitted. "Even those who were too short-sighted to see this to the end, even those who fell due to their arrogance or weakness, even those who betrayed me..." His eyes wandered to a monitor, demonstrating the duel between Lee and the girl called Christina, a girl he remembered as dead. "They were still those who had once shared my vision, whose hard efforts and, in the end, sacrifices, were the prime catalysts for this accomplishment. I used them - there's no denying this - and if I had to, I'd do it again. But it's too late for that. Too late for anything."

"You are confident, but those kids have already pierced through the Infinity Gearframe." Lynette pointed out. "They could reach us before the right time. What will you do then?"

Dunkan materialized a stack of cards in his right hand, closing them within his palm. The act of materializing objects out of thin air in the virtual world was far less impressive than it sounded. Every object that existed in this reality possessed a set of virtual coordinates to indicate its location - all one had to do was simply alter these coordinates. For someone like Dunkan who had full, unlimited access to every piece of code that comprised the virtual reality, this was as easy as thinking. He did not know whether it was this lucid state of reality, or what was hidden amongst the cards he had called forth - but when he summoned this deck, it was different than usual. It was as if a wave of raw power surged through dimensions, reaching out to him as much as he reached out to it.

"Don't worry." He said darkly. "If it comes to this... even if I'm reluctant to use it in this close proximity to the Nexus, I won't hold back if I'm forced to. They can't stand before the power of this deck. Nothing can."

"What about Eizan?" Lynette pressed. "He's not someone who will come after you with a dueling deck. Even now, he is scheming... is it really alright to leave him alone?"

Dunkan's expression darkened. "Eizan... It would be good, if I had had the time and resources to deal with him, when I still could. For now... I think I'm beginning to understand him, just a little. Because of this, I believe that he will only strike, until after I have taken control of the Nexus."

Lynette raised an eyebrow. "Oh? An interesting conclusion. Usually, you'd strike your enemy when they are at their weakest - in this case, right when you were attempting to wrestle control of the Nexus. Why do you think he is different?"

"Because he does not view me as an enemy." Dunkan's eyes drifted away, gazing at the distance. "Miyataka Eizan... I'll be damned if I know what his true goals are. But I know one thing - he is different from anyone else. He is not interested in 'victory' or 'defeat', not in our interpretation, at least. My instinct tells me that he will wait until the Nexus aligns with this world, before he makes his move. If so... it will be irrelevant. With the Nexus, I can crush anything. I am sure of it."

"And what if you're wrong? What if he attacks now, before the time is right? Everyone we have is out there, fighting the Signers and their allies. That man killed Takizawa and swayed Inoue and Jacqueline to his side. He has proven cunning and powerful beyond your expectations. Are you confident you can understand his plans? Are you confident that you can take him on, if he attacks?"

Dunkan chuckles softly. "Lynette, if it was anyone else, I'd be quick to remind them that my insight and instincts are what led us this far. But..." His expression turned serious. "I have set a trap for him, one that will hopefully delay him long enough at least, for me to deal with him. I've taken every possible countermeasure. From now on... I'm willing to trust these preparations."

"Very well." Lynette nodded. Throughout the conversation, her voice had not shifted even slightly. "I suppose I shouldn't have to tell you this, but be careful. The Machine Emperors have already been destroyed, and the Signers are making their way here. You must be fully prepared for anything."

"You don't have to tell me." Dunkan steeled his voice. "I didn't get this far riding on chance. No matter what happens, nothing will stop me now."

Lynette looked at him for a moment, hazel eyes unreadable. "As you say." Her tone was soft and smooth, having betrayed none of her inner thoughts. "Then, I'll be taking my leave for now."

"You're leaving?" Dunkan echoed, for the first time sounding genuinely surprised. "At this time, you want to leave the control chamber?" Lynette stopped, already close to the door, and turned halfway towards him.

"I have something that I wish to deal with." She said serenely. "It is rude to ask a lady about her business, you know?"

"I won't stop you. But if you leave, I may not be able to protect you." Dunkan said heavily. Lynette smiled.

"Don't worry. I know how to stay out of trouble. You just focus on the task at hand, and let me deal with the rest." Without waiting for his nod, she disappeared, shutting the door behind her. Dunkan remained motionless for a few moments, looking at the sealed gate, before silently returning to his observations.

---

At the moment Rainbow Dark Dragon appeared, six flashes of light immediately alerted the remaining intruders of the Aria Tower. But the iridescent purple color that had been Christina's mark was tainted black, giving off a vibrant feeling of unease. The other two Signers had already picked up on the situation, of course, but the remaining five glanced at the alarm worriedly.

"Christina... something is wrong." Takechi wiped sweat off his brow. It looked like, for the moment, there was little he could do, sprawled as he was on the floor of the arena where he had just conquered his opponent. The duel had taken a lot out of him. But... "The fight... isn't over... yet." Grunting, he stood up. There was no time to rest. He had to catch up to the others... thankfully, the floor seemed empty after Haderon's defeat. Navigating through the corridors, he tried to find his way up to the next floor, where Sugita's signal was located...

---

Two floors below, Yuko glanced at the holographic alarm with bleary eyes. All she wanted to do was lay down and sleep... but she knew she couldn't afford to just yet. She knew something had happened to Christina. Glancing at the display, Takechi's dot, which had been stationary since their duels had finished, had begun moving again. Same with Sugita's dot. She wanted to climb up and join them, but that would be difficult now. No, instead... one floor underneath, Sanjou Kiishiro was still wandering around the first floor. It seemed that, for whatever reason, he could not find a way up. There wasn't much she could do, but if she could reach him and help him somehow... with considerable effort, she began retracing her steps out of the circular arena, and to a direction where she hoped she might find the stairs that led down to the lower floor.

---

"Wh - what's going on?" Yuusuke asked quietly, looking at the holographic display. Maya glanced back.

"I'm not sure." She lied. In fact, she had a pretty good idea what was happening to Christina right now. But they couldn't do anything to help her, and they couldn't afford to be distracted. "Let's worry about ourselves first. We've been walking for a while now but..."

It was a while since they had left Ylaidus and Fergusson to proceed further into Eizan's hideout, but they seemed to be making no progress at all. They had been wandering along unchanging black corridors that never seemed to end, only seamlessly changing directions. It was like an endless, one-way labyrinth. No matter how they walked, they could see no sign that they were getting closer to their destination, or getting anywhere at all.

"It looks like reaching Eizan won't be that easy." Yuusuke grunted. "We're either lost, or..."

"...or we've fallen into some form of trap." Maya finished. A trap meant to stall for time? It was possible.

"Let's keep moving." Maya said nervously, checking the holographic display again. They still had time... Maya didn't want to make any big moves here, not unless it was absolutely necessary. "Ten more minutes... if we haven't gotten anything by then, we're forcing our way out."

Time left: 0:50:11

---

"It's over now." Christina whispered, though it was more of a thought to herself, than a warning to her opponent. Her twin dragons roared - the black rainbow dragon in fury, the blue fairy one in agony, but she paid them no heed. "Rainbow Dark Dragon can remove from the game all Dark monsters on my side of the field and Graveyard... thanks to Advanced Dark, all Gem Beasts are also Dark monsters... along with Bad End Queen Dragon, this makes for a total of nine. And my monster then gains 500 attack points for each card removed... 8500 attack... you will not survive this." She raised her hand, giving her monster a wordless command. Lee closed his eyes. In the end, was this it - ?

"Uuu..."

The strike never came. Lee opened his eyes, to see the girl in front of him holding her head, tormented by some inner struggle. Her dragon roared, urging her to release its restraints, to let it unleash its explosive power. But Christina fought.

"You have not fallen yet." Lee whispered to her. "Even now... you can't simply sever your bonds with your deck. With everything that you hold dear. Christina, this is the real you. Your old life... no matter how much I regret taking it away, what you've lost isn't all there is to you. Please, look beyond the things you've lost! What you've gained is just as important! It is what defines you now! Don't throw it all away too, to chase after the ghosts of your past!"

"Shut... up..." Christina muttered. "Ancient Fairy switches to attack mode... this is still more than enough... Rainbow Dark Dragon, destroy Vairon Alpha!" The serpent roared, slithering forward - its maw opened, and a glowing dark energy disk formed in front of it. Lee braced himself from the impact.

The air between them was torn apart by a destructive lance of energy. It cut a straight path into Alpha's body. The struggle didn't even last an instant. As if it had never existed, Vairon Alpha disappeared in a mass of particles, and the shockwave struck him with such force that he flew all the way against the room's wall.

Nightshade - LP: 5000
Abraham Lee - LP: 1200

Pain ripped through him, like he had never experienced before. It was as if every single one of his senses was momentarily magnified, to capture every single millisecond of the agony. He knew that without the minimal protection afforded by the virtual system even now, he would have fainted or died from the pain alone, and his body would break down.

His torso and arms, which he had used to protect his face, had been thoroughly scorched by the blast. His ribs and back had been damaged from the impact. Just standing up would be impossible without the system assistance, which Lee used to numb the pain of his injuries. He stood upright, swaying from the exertion, blood trickling across his singed skin. With unsteady steps, he walked back to the center of the arena, resuming his place opposite to Christina. The girl's eyes were unfocused, dancing between light and darkness.

"Ancient Fairy..." She muttered. The dragon howled her disapproval. She would not attack, not willingly. She sensed her Signer ally's conflict, her darkness. But, an attack order was not easy to disobey. The fairy dragon spread her wings, and with a mournful cry, prepared to unleash her assault.

"Trap, activate." Lee shouted. "Call of the Living Dead brings back Vairon Epsilon from the Graveyard, equipping itself to my monster." The gold-and-white flying robot rematerialized, positioning itself between Ancient Fairy and himself. Christina quickly called off the attack.

[spoiler=Call of the Living Dead]Call of the Living Dead
TRAP / Continuous
Select 1 monster from your Graveyard and Special Summon it in face-up Attack Position. When this card is removed from the field, destroy the monster. When the monster is destroyed, destroy this card.[/spoiler]

"Still... Amethyst Cat activates her effect. By halving the battle damage, she can attack you directly!" The gem beast jumped across the field, suddenly on top of Lee - with a quick scratch of her iron-hard claws, she nipped off half of the remainder of Lee's Life counter.

Nightshade - LP: 5000
Abraham Lee - LP: 600

"Turn end." Christina murmured.

Lee drew his next card. He... had not expected this. He had anticipated grief, sorrow, spite, even hatred. But not this overwhelming, oppressing darkness. This was...

"Not... natural." Just the grudge against him, wouldn't be able to warp her mind so much. No... it was everything Christina had witnessed, ever since she returned to this world. Pain, sadness, death... combined with her returning memories, they had gradually damaged her mental constitution, reducing her to this state...

"...no matter what, I will still save you." He gritted his teeth. And at that point, he realized his own paradox, which had held him down all along.

He had told Christina to let go of her past. But at the same time, wasn't he the one clinging to that past? Wasn't he here in some odd quest for redemption, to atone for his sins? Had he really based his resolve... on some ridiculous reason like that?

"No... I understand now." He muttered through gritted teeth. "I'm done moping about the past... from now on, I will fight for you, with you!" His monster glowed with a golden luster, in response to his renewed resolution.

"Hang on, Christina. I'll break through the darkness to reach you. I equip Vairon Epsilon with the Equip card, Vairon Material! This raises the equipped monster's power by 600!"

[spoiler=Vairon Material]Vairon Material
SPELL / Equip
Equip only to a "Vairon" monster. It gains 600 ATK. If this face-up card on the field is sent to the Graveyard: You can add 1 "Vairon" Spell Card from your Deck to your hand.[/spoiler]

"That is pointless." Christina murmured, watching the Vairon monster, which was empowered by an energy blade. "Your monster can't touch my Rainbow Dark Dragon."

"Then I will attack Amethyst Cat instead." Epsilon fired a huge bolt of energy against the comparatively much smaller creature, which screamed in terror as it was evaported. But a wall of shadow formed between Christina and the attack, absorbing it.

"Advanced Dark protects my Life Points, if they would be lowered by battle with a Gem Beast monster." She explained. "By sending another Gem Beast from my deck to the Graveyard, I can nullify that damage to zero. And furthermore, Amethyst Cat becomes a Continuous Spell card." A purple gemstone materialized behind the two dragons. "Rainbow Dark Dragon will just destroy your monster and take away the rest of your Life Points next turn!"

"Oh? Did you forget Epsilon's effect?" Christina's eyes snapped to the creature. "By sending the equipped Vairon Material to the Graveyard, I can destroy one of your monsters! Vairon Epsilon... burst through her darkness! Obliterate Rainbow Dark Dragon!!" The Vairon's sacred light burst forth once more. A fire from the heavens, an absolute ray of destruction. The blast surged through the serpentine body of the corrupted dragon, purging him entirely. With a final cry of anguish, Rainbow Dark Dragon was vanquished, leaving behind a shower of black motes that slowly began sparkling with the colors of the rainbow, before fading away.

Has that broken your nightmare, now?

"I..." Christina blinked. The shadow was still there, but clearly, she had been shaken. He needed to keep up.

"Vairon Material's effect activates when it is sent to the Graveyard, letting me add Vairon Filament to my hand. And I'll equip that to Vairon Epsilon. Then, I'll just set a face-down monster. Turn end."

[spoiler=Vairon Filament]Vairon Filament
SPELL / Equip
Equip only to a "Vairon" monster. If the equipped monster attacks, your opponent cannot activate any Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step. If this face-up card on the field is sent to the Graveyard: You can add 1 "Vairon" Spell Card from your Deck to your hand.[/spoiler]

---

Christina gazed at the receding darkness. Stunned, she could only watch her creature be obliterated. And with it, it seemed that a buffer, which was shrouding her emotions from her consciousness, dulling their impact, was gone as well. And beyond that barrier...

Tears welled up in her eyes. What existed in her heart, what had been driving her, what she had surrendered to... could she really only see it now, that deep well of hatred? What was she even -

What am I... supposed to do...

For starters, be calm.

The familiar warmth in her mind reminded her of Dryad's presence. Reaching out to her, she found herself face-to-face with the spirit that was accompanying her.

You are not alone. Dryad addressed her. Just look around you. Christina followed her advice. Besides the blonde elemental sage... the regal, lithe figure of her guardian dragon was floating beside her, retaining her majesty despite the suppression of Advanced Dark.

"Not... alone." She muttered. Like cracks spreading across the surface of an eggshell, she began awakening to the realization -

That's right. Now, tear down your darkness!

Christina's eyes snapped open, and an emerald luster blazed in them with fierce vigor.

"Ancient Fairy Dragon!" She ordered, raising her hand. The Signer Dragon's proud cry followed her declaration. "Activate your effect, and cleanse the field with your blessed light! Destroy Advanced Dark!"

The diaphanous wings spread out to their full span. Light surged outward, blinding, supreme light. Where it passed, the shadows receded and shriveled, vanquished by the dragon's power. And before long, the field was bathed in a clear golden glow. And in that glow, other forms appeared. Sugita, Takechi, Yuko. Kiishiro, Yenma. Maya, Yuusuke. ZONE. All of her allies, who were even now supporting her through their bond. She was not alone. Everything she had lost, everything she had gained - that was who she was right now. And that was something worth fighting for. Something worth living for.

Nightshade - LP: 6000
Abraham Lee - LP: 600

Christina looked at her opponent, for the first time, her eyes not clouded by hatred. And in Abraham Lee's serene expression, she saw all that she had missed before - sorrow, regret, repentance.

"It's good... that you've found it." Lee said. Christina noticed the strain in his voice - no doubt caused by the damage received. "Something to live for, that is..."

"..." Christina wasn't sure about her feelings. But now that her hatred and anger had abated... she could at least realize, that she should not waste time and energy here - not when their ultimate target was still at large. At the very least, if Lee was willing to cooperate -

"We should stop this fight." She said. "If we move quickly, we can..."

"No. It's too late for that now." Lee sighed. Christina looked closer - rather than just mental strain and injuries... it seemed as if something was happening to Lee. His whole body was trembling a bit too fast, and his breathing had quickened far beyond normal. His face was practically drenched in sweat. "I've been... holding this back until now... hoping to see you return. But it looks like... time is up for me."

Christina, watch out! There's a huge energy field - !

But it was too late. A huge explosion of golden light burst around Lee, expanding all over the arena. Christina was thrown back by the force, and if Ancient Fairy Dragon had not cast a shielding bubble just in time to mitigate the damage, it might have been the end of her. The shock almost knocked her out. As she pushed herself on wobbling feet, the golden luster slowly subsided, and...

What stood in front of her was no longer Abraham Lee. The being stared at her expressionlessly. It was tall, towering almost halfway to the ceiling, and it was wrapped in some form of golden armor. Its skin was shining bronze, and its eyes empty white. Streaks of golden lightning surrounded it. It was as if the statue of some ancient, primordial deity come to life - except this thing wasn't even alive. The reason why Abraham Lee's God Mode was now active, was because the moment he had succumbed to the destructive influence of whatever terrible phantasm he had brought here, his life had been extinguished, everything about him replaced with the death engine that was the God Mode.

Christina had heard from ZONE that God Modes couldn't be kept active for long after the user's physical life was over, and that despite their monstrous power, they were extremely vulnerable to drastic condition shifts - which was why it was impossible for them to cope, if they were activated in the middle of a duel. But whatever power had taken over her adversary seemed strong enough to bypass all these conditions. The God Mode stared at her, the gaze of an almighty God of death, promising only demise. Its name -

God Colossus.

Don't lose focus. You can beat this... abomination.


Christina wished she shared Dryad's confidence. But since that thing appeared, could she really -

You can do it.

She wasn't sure where those words that reached straight to her heart came from. Perhaps it had been Yenma, speaking to her through their Signer bond. Or... all of her allies, together, bound by something greater than the Crimson Dragon's marks...

"That's right, I won't lose hope here." She muttered. Looking at her hand - she already had a way to overcome this situation... "First, I summon Gem Beast Topaz Tiger!" The striped white-and-black feline beast appeared before her, growling menacingly. "And then I activate the Field magic, Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins!" Placing the card she had subconsciously added to her hand via Ancient Fairy Dragon's effect in the duel disk's appropriate slot, she watched the field transform back into the ancient arena.

"Ancient Fairy Dragon switches to attack mode, and I equip Mage Power to her! Ancient Fairy powers up by 500 points for each Spell card on my side of the field - Amethyst Cat, Rainbow Ruins, and Mage Power itself all count for a total of plus 1500 attack power! Ancient Fairy!" The dragon howled, glowing in overwhelming radiance. "End this! Destroy Vairon Epsilon!"

[spoiler=Mage Power]Mage Power
SPELL / Equip
The equipped monster gains 500 ATK and DEF for each Spell and Trap Card you control.[/spoiler]

Light swathed through the arena. A huge blast coiled around the center, expanding until everything was white and gold. Christina shielded herself from the shockwaves. It was - finally over...

But -

This is bad.

The light faded away to reveal a still-floating, unscathed Vairon Epsilon. And what was worse - its attack power had exploded to 6400. "No way..." She cried, in disbelief as much as despair. "H - Honest..."

Watch out!

Without warning, the robotic angel retaliated. A stream of pure golden fire shot forth from its cannons. It was too late to dodge. Closing her eyes, she prepared for the inevitable -

The scream of pure agony came at the same time as the horrible pain that shot up through her arm. Christina's eyes snapped open. In front of her, Ancient Fairy - the dragon was resisting the force of the beam, even as her body was disintegrating. Loyal until the very end, the majestic creature wouldn't allow herself to be destroyed, not until Christina's safety was ensured. Tears filling her eyes, Christina could only watch as the attack waned in intensity, dissipating into nothing more than a streak of gold that struck her. But before that - all that remained of her guardian dragon, were a few floating motes of light.

Nightshade - LP: 3200
God Colossus - LP: 600

"N - no..." Her voice cracked. Because of her own reckless attack, the monster that had protected her, saved her from certain death, and was bound to her by a supernatural connection she couldn't even understand completely, had been annihilated... and before her, the instrument of her destruction and its wielder, the cold, unmovable statue of death. "I... Topaz Tiger attacks the reverse monster!" The beast's attack rose to 2000 as it dashed across the arena, plowing through the concealed card. But what Lee had placed down was the monster card Shining Angel, which, upon being destroyed, called out another copy of the Tuner monster he had used before, Vairon Sphere, from his deck.

[spoiler=Shining Angel]Shining Angel
LIGHT / Fairy
Level 4
1400/800
When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: You can Special Summon 1 LIGHT monster with 1500 or less ATK from your Deck, in face-up Attack Position.[/spoiler]

"Turn... end." Still shaken, Christina muttered numbly.

A card materialized before the godlike entity, only to immediately disappear and reform next to his other monsters. The sylph-like angel, Effect Veiler.

[spoiler=Effect Veiler]Effect Veiler
LIGHT / Spellcaster / Tuner
Level 1
0/0
During your opponent's Main Phase: You can send this card from your hand to the Graveyard to target 1 face-up Effect monster your opponent controls; negate that target's effects until the End Phase.[/spoiler]

What is he planning? Dryad muttered darkly. Effect Veiler and Vairon Sphere are both Tuner monsters... just what in the world...

"What is... this pressure..."

It was as if the very air around them was beginning to melt into liquid gold. Spirals wrapped around the two small monsters, which were compressed into shards of light, quickly converging to form two giant rings, floating horizontally over the much larger Epsilon. And then the Synchro monster dissipated, too, floating upwards as its body became an array of eight stars of light.

"A Level 10 Synchro Summon... with two Tuner monsters?!" Christina cried out. "What is this?!"

The answer would appear quickly. Through the forming cloud of gold, light shone as intensely as the sun, revealing the shape of a monster like no other. Supported by a massive golden ring, incomplete near its bottom to form a shape like the letter omega, its body seemed akin to that of a faceless dragon, with great black wings spreading to the sides. Gold and silver armor defended it completely.

[spoiler=Vairon Omega]Vairon Omega
LIGHT / Fairy / Synchro
Level 10
3200/1900
2 Tuners + 1 non-Tuner "Vairon" monster
When this card is Synchro Summoned: Destroy all face-up monsters that were Normal Summoned/Set. Once per turn: You can target 1 "Vairon" monster in your Graveyard; equip that target to this card. During either player's turn, when a monster effect activates: You can send 1 Equip Card equipped to this card to the Graveyard; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that monster.[/spoiler]

Christina had hardly taken in the appearance of the new monster, when a golden shockwave shot out from it, vaporizing her Topaz Tiger and sending her flying backwards. She barely noticed when the monster reformed in her Spell and Trap card zone, because Vairon Filament that had been equipped to Epsilon disappeared to be replaced by another copy of Vairon Material, by its own effect. And, with her opponent's Life Points falling to a bare minimum, Vairon Sphere rematerialized as well - only to disappear and be replaced by a second copy of Vairon Material. Finally, somehow, Vairon Prism rose from the Graveyard, becoming attached to the floating godlike monster as well. Between the three equip cards, the ultimate Vairon powered up to 5400 as it prepared to unleash its devastating attack on Christina's empty field -

Nightshade - LP: 3200
God Colossus - LP: 100

"I activate the effect of Ancient City - Rainbow Ruins!" She screamed desperately, to be heard over the sound of the Vairon's charging cannon. "If there are two or more Gem Beasts in my Spell and Trap card zone, battle damage is halved!" The last thing she saw was the destructive stream aimed straight at her, before her world vanished in a brilliant golden luster.

---

Christina was near an unfamiliar, yet eerily familiar playground. Well, playground was a stretch - it could be more accurately described as a tiny patch of land surrounded by a rotting wooden fence, where a few barechested boys were kicking around a leather-wrapped ball, with a couple of girls watching them from the side and cheering them on. The wind raised minor dunes of sand from the bare ground under her feet. The painful longing that stirred in her heart told her this was a place from her memories, a memory she hadn't recovered yet - something from before she had been taken to the virtual world, and Duel International's experiments on her had begun. This was... home.

"My memory..." She whispered.

"Yes. Or, more correctly, our memory." She spun around to see Abraham Lee. A younger version of the man that had stood before her what should have been less than fifteen minutes ago, a man less worn down by the years, the sins, the torment of his rebelling soul. "This is a memory of the time we first met."

"You... how can you be here?" Christina demanded, edging back reflexively. "You are dead, aren't you?"

"Yes, I'm dead." Lee confirmed casually. "But memories are a strange thing. The people we remember... can it not be said, that if our memories are strong enough, some part of them will still live on?" Seeing her incredulous expression, he chuckled awkwardly. "Don't worry. This is merely a fragment of consciousness, and its presence here is only possible because of the fluctuating state of reality. A nigh-miraculous phenomenon to be sure... but for now, I'm grateful. Because, there is something I need to tell you."

"I will begin with a story... my own story. I was born and raised in New York. I will tell you straight away, that I was born into a dark world. On the surface, prosperity, acceptance, unity. But as you dug deeper... poverty, discrimination. Hatred. In that world, being different was enough to be hated. Whether it was the color of your skin, whether you had less money, or whether you had more money, or any other number of factors. I experienced a lot of it myself, needless to say, being a black child of a financially-challenged family. But I struggled through, and I managed to enroll into New York University. I had hoped that, as I joined the higher academic circles, I would find a more educated, less discriminating environment."

"I was sadly mistaken. The world did not magically change. The strong dominated the weak, the majority ruled over the minority, all under a hypocritical pretext of liberty and equal rights. This was my world for four years... until that day."

"I was surprised to hear that, out of the students who had enrolled into our department - the physics department - one of them stood out. The reason was that he was only sixteen years old, and yet had managed to be accepted into university with outstanding grades. This person, six years younger than me... his name was Gregory Dunkan."

"To say he was a genius would be a vast understatement. Within months he was already capable of analyzing material that posed difficulties even to fourth-year students like myself. He came from a rich family, and despite his brilliant mind, he was easy-going and popular. One day... well, I will not go into details, but often enough I was... harassed, by a certain group of students. It was harsh, but you could say I had almost gotten used to it. Then, one of those times, Dunkan happened to be nearby. He was furious. He charged in without thought and took them all on, standing up for me, a stranger whom he had never exchanged a single word with."

"...thankfully, he got out of the fight with only a few minor injuries. As I helped him to the infirmary, I couldn't help but ask - why? Why had he done this for me? And his answer - 'these people who can only hunt the weaker, the fewer, those who cannot look past their own miserable selves and reach out to something greater, but contend and confirm themselves in their own self-assured dominance, they are the worst kind of trash'. I was surprised, but I knew at that moment that he was someone who could not tolerate racism and discrimination. We began talking, and soon enough we became... friends. Gregory told me I had a brilliant mind and that I shouldn't be restraining myself. He was specializing in the field of metaphysics, and a few years later he had developed radical theories that astounded even the most open-minded of our professors. We finished our master thesis almost at the same time, and kept contact even after the conclusion of our academic studies."

"His main field of expertise and interest, the research of alternate realities, was a purely theoretical field at the time, and there was no way he could find a job directly relevant to his interests. It was a real shock to everyone when, instead of pursuing an academic position which would have been easily granted to him, he chose to develop a gaming company. I lost contact with him for a long time, then, following my own career. But when he contacted me again... that was the time when he revealed what he had discovered through his research. And what he planned to do."

"At first, I thought he had gone crazy. But he spoke with such passion and conviction that I agreed to meet him. And when he provided unshakeable proof to his claims, I was forced to believe. No - I had wanted to believe from the start. Because the world that lay beyond the end of that path... if we could use the power of the Nexus to shape a world from our ideals, wouldn't that be a miracle worth realizing? A world where unity, understanding and acceptance can push back the shadow... I think that's the ideal that gave birth to the Vairon."

"But in the end... it was not meant to be. I know that now. I sincerely believe that Gregory Dunkan and I once shared the same dream... but he is not the same person. I cannot understand him, and on some level, I think I never could. He is brilliant... but because of it, he can't see the world with the same eyes that we do. He believes his designs to be flawless, and anything that contradicts them, to him, is a mistake that must be eliminated. He cannot see... why this plan has already failed..."

"What are you trying to say?" Christina, who had absorbed all this quietly so far, whispered numbly. Lee smiled.

"What I'm trying to say is... even if my ideal is not something that can be realized with the Nexus or anything, even if my life has already disappeared... I'd like to think, even for this fleeting moment, even if what I am right now is less than nothing... that there was some truth in my dreams back then. That people can try and understand each other, despite their differences, despite their mistakes. That people can forgive each other. That you, too..."

"...can someday, from your heart, forgive me..."

Tears blurred her vision as her memory flickered. Lee smiled at her, placing a hand on her cheek. And the last thing she saw before the world blacked out, was his body turning into motes of light, heading, perhaps, towards a world more like the one he wished for...

---

Pain. Agony surged through her entire body. Her eyes firmly shut, she tried to push herself up - but her body was not responding to her commands.

Christina! The warm feeling inside her mind shook her to further awakening. Thankfully, you are alive! Dryad's presence alone seemed to give her strength. Let me help you... The pain didn't disappear, but it lessened. Somehow, Christina knew that by linking their consciousness, Dryad was sharing her sense of pain - and in doing so, alleviating Christina's own suffering. Trembling, she pushed herself up, taking note of the Life Point counter. It seemed she had escaped death, but only by a narrow margin.

Nightshade - LP: 500
God Colossus - LP: 100

Christina... we must finish this, now. Dryad urged. This thing... I fear, that this turn is our absolutely last chance.

"I... know." She mumbled. Just talking was exhausting enough. But there was no single card in her deck that could turn the tables on Vairon Omega and end the duel in one blow. No, she needed... "First of all... I send Amethyst Cat to the cemetery... Bad End Queen Dragon is revived." The grotesque dragon monster returned to her side with a mournful roar. Suffering, pain... hatred... they cannot simply be erased. These, too, are part of what makes us humans... and without these, joy, compassion, love, they would be meaningless as well. We can't reject only one side. The world isn't a convenient place like that. But for what it's worth... "Draw! Dryad, lend me your power! I activate Jar of Avarice, shuffling Sunny Pixie, Sapphire Pegasus, Ruby Carbuncle, Ancient Fairy Dragon, and Rainbow Dragon to the deck!" She glanced at the last two cards. Even if it was a failed ideal... your final wish, I will respect it.

[spoiler=Jar of Avarice]Jar of Avarice
SPELL / Normal
Select 5 Monster Cards in your Graveyard. Return those cards to the Deck, then draw 2 cards.[/spoiler]

The Signer and her kindred spirit placed their hands on top of each other, touching the two first cards of her deck. The phantasmal form of Ancient Fairy Dragon materialized behind them, blessing them with her light. In the end... "Draw!!"

She looked at the floating mechanical angel, and the fake God standing behind it. I hated you... and I let that hate drive me... because it's easy to hate. It's easy to fear and reject. You made the wrong choice, because you wanted to escape that cycle... and now, despite what you have done to me... I think I can, begin to forgive you a little...

"I activate... Giant Dragon's Wingbeat." She said heavily. "By returning the Level 5 or higher Dragon monster, Bad End Queen Dragon, to my hand... all the Spell and Trap cards that exist on the field are destroyed." The dragon which was a symbol of her sorrow and hatred dematerialized in a violent whirlwind, which sliced through the three cards that lay open in her opponent's Spell and Trap card zone. The two copies of Vairon Material and Vairon Prism disappeared, reducing the monster's power down to its original 3200.

[spoiler=Giant Dragon's Wingbeat]Giant Dragon's Wingbeat
SPELL / Normal
Return 1 face-up Level 5 or higher Dragon-Type monster you control to the hand, and destroy all Spell and Trap Cards on the field.[/spoiler]

"And this is... the end." She held up her second card, blazing with radiance. Her eyes glowed, blinding her briefly, and when she opened them again, it was as if she was looking through a seven-colored kaleidoscope. All her monsters were gathered here and now... it was time to unleash their true power. "Topaz Tiger..." A yellow gem appeared, hovering in midair, as the spirit of the tiger materialized briefly, absorbed into the precious stone. "Amethyst Cat..." A pink gem. "Cobalt Eagle... Amber Mammoth... Emerald Turtle..." Brown, orange, and green followed, empowered by the spirits of the respective Gem Beasts. "Sapphire Pegasus..." A bright blue gem. "And finally, Ruby Carbuncle..." The tiny kitten floated past her, meowing encouragingly, before her spirit was drawn into the final red crystal. The seven stones aligned into a rainbow-shaped array. "Bring your power together! I summon the ultimate gem god! Descend, Rainbow Dragon!!"

The air shimmered. Through the arrays of light that the gems emitted, a miracle began forming. A long, serpentine body, framed by two great feathered wings and several smaller ones. The seven crystals were embedded along the length of its body, glowing fiercely. This was... the miraculous chance of reversal she had summoned. Rainbow Dragon... at the same time, she felt the eight-way bond pulse through her and all of those who had gathered here, connecting them... bringing their souls together towards their common goal.

[spoiler=Rainbow Dragon]Rainbow Dragon
LIGHT / Dragon
Level 10
4000/0
Cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. Must be Special Summoned (from your hand) by having 7 "Gem Beast" cards with different names on your field or in your Graveyard, and cannot be Special Summoned by other ways. This card cannot activate its effects the turn it is Special Summoned. • During either player's turn: You can send all "Gem Beast" monsters you control to the Graveyard; this card gains 1000 ATK for each card sent. • You can banish all "Gem Beast" monsters in your Graveyard; shuffle all cards on the field into the Decks.[/spoiler]

She looked at the thing that had been Abraham Lee. "Rest in peace." She whispered, finally finding the closure that she needed. The past would have to wait. For now, it was time to look into the future. Rainbow Dragon unleashed a stream of multi-colored light, and both the Vairon monster and its wielder disappeared before its holy light.

Nightshade - LP: 500
God Colossus - LP: 0

For a few seconds, Christina stared at the emptiness in front of her. She had finally won... but in the end, even Abraham Lee had been nothing more than a pawn. The man responsible for everything... the man who was, even now, watching over the world as it headed straight to its destruction, was still up there. Gregory Dunkan...

Where the God Colossus had stood, there was now something on the ground. Tentatively, Christina approached. It was a single card, glowing bright gold. She gasped - this must have been the phantasm she had sensed, what had taken over Lee and killed him, driving him into his God Mode transformation. And before her very eyes, the card trembled and vanished. But Christina had a dreadful feeling she knew all too well where it had gone. As Lee had intended, the card was hers now. To use for victory, or be consumed by its power and die.

Mustering her courage, she stepped through the gate, heading towards the upper levels.

[/spoiler]

[Synchronized]

I must say I was surprised to see the connection between Lee and Dunkan, at least in the way that you brought it all together because I think it made such a good connection that - like I mentioned in my previous reply - really solidified him as someone who wasn't really a bad guy at all.  He wanted change and his goals were ideal but just like many people in such situations they are blinded by that desire and end up veering off down the wrong path.  It was awesome to see his story come full circle and I think his death actually provided a substantial impact to the story.  Whether or not we're going to see him again or see him referenced I'm not sure, but if this was his last hurrah, it was excellently done.

 

As for the duel itself, the Rainbow Dragon was extremely predictable but sometimes predictable isn't always bad.  I was almost 100% sure you'd end it that way but I think it was the most fitting way to go about it and it all came together nicely.  You get that vibe that we're getting closer to the end of the story and things are beginning to feel a lot more suspenseful as everything is coming together.

 

At this point I'm really intrigued to see where Kishiiro's story ends up.

[Aerion Brightflame]

So since I've finished chapter 60-66 I thought I best review them as a whole, since they are rather self contained.

 

Now for starters I love the Meklord duel, such a lovely idea behind it that I actually didn't guess. Which is... odd because it made a lot of sense and felt kinda obvious.

 

You had a call back to really early on with one of the opponents in that didn't you? Skiel's first appearance I think? Or if not first, second or so. Either way, it felt familiar, but that also kinda bugged me since it's this all but forgotten character who suddenly appears and does relevant things. Some kinda reminder of him would've been nice. (Agzalor is the one I mean)

 

Kiishiro suddenly becoming heartless, and Maya being annoyed at him for it is... interesting this late in the game, but it leaves me with pacing concerns about it, since well that's something big I've been having about this arc. But yeah, it's a nice dynamic since it makes Kiishiro actually interesting compared to my long standing absence of feeling towards him. But resolving that (If that's what you intend) or at least expanding on it seems hard right now.

 

Now my main gripe with this:

 

It doesn't feel like a final arc. I don't know what it is, but something about it doesn't feel final Arc-y, and I think it's because there's still an awful lot to deal with. You have two really big Villian's to dispose of, at least one minor villian yet to go, what I'm sensing is a return of Ebony and Ivory at some point, then presumably restoring the world to semblance of balance (Unless you are planning on having apocalypse actually happen in which case cudos), plus the whole issue of some characters at this point still feeling underdeveloped and everything, and the new darker Kiishiro attitude, and I can only assume two more signer dragons appearing, and yeah... It feels really busy for 6 chapters to go.

 

And I'm not even sure why the arc itself doesn't feel final arc when it's got the right set-up for it, it's got the right feel behind it... And yet some sense of... something is missing.

 

Sorry if I'm being vague, but it's been nagging at me slightly for the last few chapters, and I'm not sure how to word it.

[Vector Nightmare]

 

So since I've finished chapter 60-66 I thought I best review them as a whole, since they are rather self contained.

 

Now for starters I love the Meklord duel, such a lovely idea behind it that I actually didn't guess. Which is... odd because it made a lot of sense and felt kinda obvious.

 

You had a call back to really early on with one of the opponents in that didn't you? Skiel's first appearance I think? Or if not first, second or so. Either way, it felt familiar, but that also kinda bugged me since it's this all but forgotten character who suddenly appears and does relevant things. Some kinda reminder of him would've been nice. (Agzalor is the one I mean)

 

Actually, Azgalor was in the Extra Chapter arc. The Extra Chapters are just that - side stories that are not directly linked to the events of the main plot, mostly past stories of characters. The fact that Azgalor appeared in one of them, or that the other two didn't, does not mean anything in particular in regards to these events. For the intents and purposes of the current story, Azgalor is a "new" character, who just happened to have a part in one of the side stories. Maybe that will help clear the situation up - his appearance here is not meant to be a follow-up or anything.

 

 

Kiishiro suddenly becoming heartless, and Maya being annoyed at him for it is... interesting this late in the game, but it leaves me with pacing concerns about it, since well that's something big I've been having about this arc. But yeah, it's a nice dynamic since it makes Kiishiro actually interesting compared to my long standing absence of feeling towards him. But resolving that (If that's what you intend) or at least expanding on it seems hard right now.

 

Now my main gripe with this:

 

It doesn't feel like a final arc. I don't know what it is, but something about it doesn't feel final Arc-y, and I think it's because there's still an awful lot to deal with. You have two really big Villian's to dispose of, at least one minor villian yet to go, what I'm sensing is a return of Ebony and Ivory at some point, then presumably restoring the world to semblance of balance (Unless you are planning on having apocalypse actually happen in which case cudos), plus the whole issue of some characters at this point still feeling underdeveloped and everything, and the new darker Kiishiro attitude, and I can only assume two more signer dragons appearing, and yeah... It feels really busy for 6 chapters to go.

 

And I'm not even sure why the arc itself doesn't feel final arc when it's got the right set-up for it, it's got the right feel behind it... And yet some sense of... something is missing.

 

Sorry if I'm being vague, but it's been nagging at me slightly for the last few chapters, and I'm not sure how to word it.

I can answer all this pretty simply, actually.

 

...this isn't the final arc.

 

Arc 6 concludes with chapter 72, which we will get to in a few weeks. After that, we have Arc 7, the finale arc, which is 6 chapters long (quite large ones, but I don't want to spread them over an entire 12-chapter arc given the timeframe that is handled is quite small - there's just a ton of events that need to be covered).

 

So I assume you'll pretty much feel at ease when I tell you that there aren't 6 chapters until the end, but 12, which given length should count more like 15 or so.

 

I must say I was surprised to see the connection between Lee and Dunkan, at least in the way that you brought it all together because I think it made such a good connection that - like I mentioned in my previous reply - really solidified him as someone who wasn't really a bad guy at all.  He wanted change and his goals were ideal but just like many people in such situations they are blinded by that desire and end up veering off down the wrong path.  It was awesome to see his story come full circle and I think his death actually provided a substantial impact to the story.  Whether or not we're going to see him again or see him referenced I'm not sure, but if this was his last hurrah, it was excellently done.

 

As for the duel itself, the Rainbow Dragon was extremely predictable but sometimes predictable isn't always bad.  I was almost 100% sure you'd end it that way but I think it was the most fitting way to go about it and it all came together nicely.  You get that vibe that we're getting closer to the end of the story and things are beginning to feel a lot more suspenseful as everything is coming together.

 

At this point I'm really intrigued to see where Kishiiro's story ends up.

 

Thank you for that. For better or worse, Lee is entirely dead now - there's no recovering from having your mind completely wiped out and replaced with a dueling bot on steroids, after all. In fact, in his case, he was pretty much 'dead' the moment God Mode took over; what was left was only an 'echo' of himself (memories and personality), much like how Jacqueline appeared in the end of her duel. It's intentionally left a bit vague since I'm aiming / hoping for it to come across as something emotional.

 

However, you'll be glad to know that Lee, along with some of the other nine executives, will have their backstory and motivations explored in a bit more detail in the finale, as well as some of the remaining four Extra Chapters.

 

And yeah predictable RD was predictable, but symbolism and such.

[simdoggy1]

Ok, so as I haven't been giving responses and comments on thoughts from the previous chapters, I'll do the last four all in the one post.

 

[Spoiler=65 & 66]

The Machine Emperor duels were well done, I particularly enjoyed the last moments between Sugita and Jericho and the parallels you drew between Jericho's and Yuki's situations. The shared life points was interesting to see, though one annoyance from this is that you actually just killed them along with their Machine Emperor's destructions, rather than actually finish off their life points. Despite that bit, it was enjoyable to see the three decks in their attempts to beat the Machine Emperors, and I very much enjoyed seeing Trishula summoned, even if it did seem like you chose their trackers as the three monsters to finish off the Machine Emperors. Overall entertaining, and the flashback to the duel with Jericho and Fergusson was very entertaining to read, and though it seemed somewhat anticlimactic to end the duel with Fire Spirit Art - Crimson, it did seem rather fitting in the situation. [/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=67 & 68]

Christina duelling Lee was something that seemed to be necessary before the final ending, after what you'd already revealed about their past. I'm curious to see just what phantasm you've given Christina now, though I still maintain that given her deck, Hamon, Lord of Striking Thunder would fit quite well. Rainbow Dragon did seem quite fitting for the finish of the duel, if slightly predictable, but the appearance of Rainbow Dark Dragon wasn't something I had expected. The connection between Dunkan and Lee was likewise unexpected, but again fitted well into place with what we'd seen of them, and now it seems like Lynette is the one without a deck, and I'm predicting that Dunkan will use Gem-Knights, which would fit with the exposition of his earlier thoughts and desires as to why he wants to reach the nexus, that nothing can be created without losing more to create it. Fusion summoning does seem to agree with that well, and they're one of the two useable Duel Terminal Archetypes we haven't yet seen appear, the other being Gusto unless I've forgotten any.[/spoiler]

 

Overall they were enjoyable, and I'm looking forward to the last 12 chapters now, as well as the 4 extra chapters, which sounds like they'll feature the executives and possibly Eizan now we've got some more information on what he did with Yliadus.

[Vector Nightmare]

Yeah, choosing their designated monsters to end the duels was done intentionally. And the whole point in the Jericho vs Fergusson duel was the anticlimax =/

 

But there's actually 10 chapters till the end, not 12 - when I mentioned 12 I was talking to Barty who was still on CH66.

 

Nice to see people still speculating on the Duel Terminal archetypes and who will use them. However it's not as straightforward as that, and I think the remaining deck(s) will catch you by surprise.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

Um... hi.

 

Yeah, I've been catching up today. Because I'm sad and have no life this story is still awesome. Tbh... I skipped 59-60. I just couldn't bring myself to read Kiishiro stuff, even though Plants. It's not just him, but Kotomi as well, who puts me off, and not even Ebony and Ivory and her Dragunity could pull me around. Sorry. I just find him wet now, even though I knew already he becomes cold merciless killer in Chapter 63. =/

 

Besides, stuff in 61-66 which I've read today is more exciting.

 

You already know most of my thoughts on this. The duel's are... just at another level to anything I can do, in terms of the inventiveness and resourcefulness of the heroes moves. It's all just so much better.

 

However, the added scene you hinted at as new material for me, I'm glad for its inclusion. It arguably could have been done as an Extra, but it doesn't matter much//I'm sure you considered that. You were right in your prediction, I did enjoy it. Primarily through Demise/Ruin love, but I also loved the bonus expansion/reinforcement on Jericho's character; the obsessive drive for fulfilment that consumed her. The same goes to the honourable Haderon and Agzalor, for minor characters to have so much personality shine through in their actions, rather than just being told 'Haderon is an honourable type k?' Didn't know you could do that with Ritual Raven, but something I can bear in mind I guess. So yeah, good inclusion even if it made the chapter noticably longer than the other three, but... yeah. The 'oh you didn't get thier LP to zero' doesn't matter, matches that are clearly over just need to end when they do, since it's not even necessarily 0LP = death here.

 

Ps: Ferguson is, once again, a first class *censored*!

[Northern Sage]

Wait, is Duncan using Nordics? That's my guess… or Tech Genus. TG is more practical, but maybe you could put all Nordics together in a deck somehow.

I'll keep supporting silently. Keep up the good work.

[Vector Nightmare]

Well. Now that everyone has had time to get into Matt's beautiful new story, it's time to get back to business. For now, we will ease into things with only an Extra Chapter, but the next set of chapters will follow shortly. From there on it will be hopefully smooth sailing into the end of the sixth arc and then the seventh and final arc. I'm increasingly busy this period of time, though, so some activity hiccups here and there will have to be forgiven.

 

In regards to Dunkan's deck, well... let's just say it might end up surprising a lot of people. Not too long left now...

 

[spoiler=Extra Chapter 9]

Extra Chapter 9: Huge Revolution

November 6th, 2032

Virtual World
Duel Field
<Ruins of Sargasso>

"Geez... what's up with this depressing name and atmosphere? You'd think they'd make a flashier spot to hold the hottest damn duel since this world was created..."

"Oh? Even someone such as you can appreciate the legacy of this setting. How unexpected."

"Hey, hey. I'm quite the cultured guy, you know."

Adam Fergusson, known in this reality as <Firesoul>, quite recently crowned the Duel Monsters champion of the US server, eyed the man opposite to him carefully. The location they were transported to was, quite possibly, the oddest Duel Field he had yet been to.

Sargasso. In the real world, it was an area within the notorious Bermuda Triangle, where hundreds of ships were said to have disappeared over the centuries - for that reason, it was known as the ship graveyard. This Duel Field was built to match that. They were in the middle of the ocean, no land in sight. The only ground to stand on was made out of sparse planks of shattered wood from age-old shipwrecks, carried by the eerily silent waves. The sky overhead was pitch-black, and the clouds were occasionally lit by flashes of lightning. It was drizzling softly - a quiet, monotonous rain that added to the oppressive atmosphere, along with the edges of a dark grey fog rolling in from all sides, boxing them in.

"Sargasso. A place that became the 'end' for many valiant seafarers. Perhaps this place will become the grave of your aspiration, too."

Ylaidus said these words in a cool, collected voice. Fergusson grinned.

"Like hell it will. My ambitions are too hot to drown, even out here."

Officially, there was no real connection between Firesoul and Ylaidus - Adam Fergusson, and the enigmatic real world persona of the Japanese national champion. However, unknown to Duel International, who had set up this exhibition match between the two champions, the pair had actually been working together quite closely over the past few years. Even then, though, this was the first time they were meeting in person - so to speak. And it was an encounter Fergusson intended to cash in greatly on. They had both fulfilled the first part of the plan - conquer the American and Japanese championships respectively. Which meant that there was no need to do anything now - no greater purpose forcing their actions. Now, they could just fight to their heart's content. And for Fergusson, becoming the US champion was never enough - he wanted to be the strongest in the world. And this guy was the last obstacle.

Adam Fergusson had been a duelist even before Duel International released the virtual world. One of the legacies he had inherited from his father, along with his love for motorcycles - a passion that had cost his father his life in a crash when Fergusson was twelve years old. It was hard to find people who still had real cards to duel, and at the time there was no other venue for playing, so Fergusson was mostly a self-taught duelist at the time, especially since his brother, Thomas, his elder by ten years and a very serious, focused person, had no interest in such things.

It is easy to imagine how excited the young, aspiring duelist was when he learned that, not only was a virtual reality system being implemented for the purposes of playing the game in a fully immersive environment, but his brother was a leading member of the developing team. That excitement was soon shot down, though, when Thomas was fired from Duel International under sketchy circumstances, following a conveniently-timed rumor about a supposed leak. Things were never the same ever since. Thomas became quiet, almost vindictive, and developed what could only be described as an obsession with finding a way to bring down Duel International. Their mother, and Adam himself, were getting quite worried that he might try something stupid, which would lead to unfortunate consequences.

However, all of a sudden, literally from one day to the next, Thomas changed entirely. It was as if he had made peace with the past, and was moving on without looking back. With profound tranquility and calmness, he explained to them that he was working on a new project. Of course, they had wanted to know more, but Thomas had been adamant in avoiding to disclose any information about it.

Adam's natural curiosity wouldn't be easily deterred, though, and after thoroughly snooping around, he discovered that his brother had regular contact, including meetings in the virtual reality, with a mysterious person calling themselves Ylaidus. His surprise was even greater when he discovered that he could not find a player named Ylaidus registered in Duel International's database. That could mean two things - either Ylaidus had administrative privileges, or he was a hacker. Or both.

Whatever the case, it was clear that Thomas had not quite let go of his grudge, as he'd have tried to make them believe, and was involved in some pretty shady scheme. Not being one for subtlety, Adam confronted his brother directly about it. And it was then that Thomas sat him down and explained everything to him. The existence of parallel worlds beyond the boundaries of their own, the real purpose behind Duel International's creation of the virtual world, and what Thomas, along with Ylaidus, another man who claimed to have been used and tossed aside in the company's ruthless plan to gain access to the unfathomable energy reserve that was teh Nexus, planned to do about it.

Even as an excitable youth, Adam Fergusson had, of course, had some trouble absorbing all that. His doubts were evaporated, though, when Thomas provided him with irrefutable proof of his words by showing him the Gap - the miniscule breaches in the world's Outer Sphere, its boundary, that allowed one to peer beyond reality, into different planes of existence. The Gap was not something anyone could simply see, but with the aid of virtual reality technology, it was possible to experience its presence to some extent, and when Adam had done that, there was no longer any doubt in his mind that what Ylaidus and his brother had been claiming was the truth.

Enthusiastically, he jumped onto the opportunity to be part of their plan. He had always known he was meant for something bigger, bigger than anyone else. And this was just the universe handing him his destiny on a silver platter.

It wasn't easy, of course - the road was long, and they had to be extremely careful - they were dealing with ruthless, brilliant masterminds backed by immense financial and political power, not to mention state-of-the-art technology. Stealth and subterfuge were the only factors in their favor. They worked slowly and methodically, breaking apart the well-hidden secrets of the virtual world. Even for them, though, it was simply not possible to break into everything they wanted. For that, they needed access to secrets hidden deep within Duel International's servers. All Duel Fields that could be explored in the virtual world were instanced, merely copies reproduced from their original template in the company's central continental servers, and stored locally in subsidiary servers. There were only a few, a precious few, that were static locations, in which the players logged in straight to the main servers... needless to say, getting into those was quite imperative for their infiltration to succeed, and at the same time, quite impossible for them as things stood - due to how closely they were monitored, hacking into those areas would be discovered immediately.

Therefore, they had to follow the legitimate path. As players climbed through the rankings, reaching higher and higher levels, more secrets of the virtual world would become available to them, including new Duel Fields. Thus, the group had to aim for the ultimate possible height - becoming continental champions. And just as they had predicted, winning the national tournaments had allowed them accesss to the elusive Vision Cathedral - a place which Thomas and Ylaidus claimed was going to be the cornerstone to their plan.

However, all of that was not relevant now. The only thing Fergusson cared about right now was this moment, the enemy standing in front of him. Ylaidus, who Fergusson knew was a superb duelist, but had never had the chance to pit his skills against. After defeating the European champion Stiyel Crystal... he was the last obstacle, the final hurdle between him and the title of 'strongest in the world'. Fergusson respected Ylaidus, and was even grateful to him to some extent, for the opportunity he had given to him and his brother. But in this duel, Ylaidus was an enemy that had to be defeated, and Fergusson was not going to hold back in the slightest.

...I just wish, this guy was a little easier to read...

Indeed, there was nothing he could glean from Ylaidus' frozen, unreadable expression. The virtual avatar he had created was that of a taller-than-average, muscular man, whose body coated entirely in thick black armor that glistened in the half-light. His face, stern and solid, was that of a man around his forties - a man who had lead quite the difficult life. In a way, it was almost more difficult to maintain a collected expression in the virtual world, than it was in the physical one, because the system had the tendency to automatically translate your brain signals to expressions and motions, something you could mitigate only with extensive experience. Ylaidus either had that experience, or he was simply not shaken by anything, as Fergusson had never seen his expression waver in the slightest. Compared to Jericho, whom he had beaten to claim the American championship title, and Stiyel Crystal, whom he had defeated in an exhibition match a couple of months back - he could sense this would be a far greater challenge.

"You've done well to get this far." Ylaidus armed his Duel Disk. For high-level players, using items to replace Duel Disks was a common means of showing off their prowess, but Fergusson always thought a conventional device fitted him the best. Well, almost conventional - he had purchased a special model, larger than average and uniquely decorated with crimson and gold. Apparently, his opponent thought the same. "Let me test your ability myself." For Fergusson, these words had another meaning, besides the one the world would hear in them. Ylaidus trusted Thomas, but not his younger brother. In their partnership, Adam Fergusson was the outsider who had joined in through a sheer accident, a coincidental ally.

This was his chance to earn that trust, and his rightful place.

"Duel!!"

Firesoul - LP: 4000
Ylaidus - LP: 4000

Turn 1 - Firesoul

"Looks like I'm going first." Fergusson snatched a sixth card out of his deck. The system tended to give the 'challenger', typically the one with the lower duelist level, the initiative - and as much as it galled him, right now, his own level of 92 paled before Ylaidus, who stood at the absolute pinnacle of 98. This guy, I'm sure he used some dirty method to get up there... But he pushed those thoughts from his mind. All he had to do was win this duel.

"Alright. Keeping it simple. One face-down monster, and one face-down card. Turn end."

Turn 2 - Ylaidus

Silently, Ylaidus drew a new card. Geez, couldn't this guy at least try to get some hype going? Wordlessly, he placed a monster on his Duel Disk. A fiery red-armored beast warrior, whose body shaped resembled a lizard but muscular build belied incredible physical strength, materialized to oppose him, unfazed by the fact that it was hovering over the ocean. Laquer... Gladial Beasts. As I thought, it's the same deck he used in the tournament... makes things a little easier for me. Fergusson thought with satisfaction. Of course, he had carefully observed his opponent's past duels, and rebuilt his deck and strategy to match those observations.

[spoiler= Gladial Beast Laquer]Gladial Beast Laquer
FIRE / Beast-Warrior
Level 4
1800/400
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, its original ATK becomes 2100. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can shuffle it into the Deck; Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Laquer".[/spoiler]

"Battle." Ylaidus declared. "Gladial Beast Laquer attacks your reverse monster."

"Hah." Fergusson grinned as the gladiator lizard cut down his concealed card with its axe. The revealed monster was a tiny blue dinosaur, its back covered in spikes of flame that resembled underdeveloped wings. "You just destroyed Jurak Stauriko. With this guy's effect, I get to Special Summon two Jurak tokens to my field." Two infant dinosaurs, barely out of their eggs, similar in shape to the destroyed Stauriko, appeared on his field, growling weakly at the retreating gladiator. Now, all that's left...

[spoiler=Jurak Stauriko]Jurak Stauriko
FIRE / Dinosaur
Level 2
500/400
If this card is destroyed by battle, Special Summon 2 "Jurak Token"s (Dinosaur-Type/FIRE/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position. These Tokens cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon, unless it is for a "Jurak" monster.[/spoiler]

"At the end of the battle phase, Gladial Beast Laquer retreats to my deck, in exchange for a different Gladial Beast monster." Ylaidus said coolly. "Come forth, Gladial Beast Murmillo." Of course he'd go for that. Fergusson thought with satisfaction as Laquer disappeared, to be replaced with a smaller aquatic creature, resembling a cross between a seahorse and a bat.

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Murmillo]Gladial Beast Murmillo
WATER / Fish
Level 3
800/400
When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster: Target 1 face-up monster; destroy that target. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can shuffle it into the Deck; Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Murmillo".[/spoiler]

"And now - "

"And now, Trap activate!" Fergusson interrupted. "Mirror of Oaths! Trying to Special Summon from your deck is a bad idea when I have this thing set, because not only does it blow your monster up, but it also gets me an extra draw for my trouble!" A mirror appeared on Fergusson's side, sucking the newly-materialized Murmillo into it - the small gladiator struggled in vain against its magical pull, but it was quickly absorbed, and then the mirror shattered, leaving no trace of the monster behind.

[spoiler=Mirror of Oaths]Mirror of Oaths
TRAP / Normal
Activate only when your opponent Special Summons a monster(s) from their Deck. Destroy that monster(s) and draw 1 card.[/spoiler]

"I set a card face-down. Turn end." Damnit, he didn't even flinch!

Turn 3 - Firesoul

"Alright... let's see if you'll be so calm after this." Fergusson muttered ruefully. "Jurak Tokens can't be released for an Advance Summon, unless that monster is a Jurak monster itself... that won't be a problem with this guy, though." He grinned, as his two lesser dinosaurs were consumed by huge bursts of flame. "I summon Jurak Titan!" A mighty bipedal dinosaur, its body covered in bright red scales, glowing with an inner flame, materialized out of the sacrifice, its roar loud enough to send shake the water body underneath their feet.

[spoiler=Jurak Titan]Jurak Titan
FIRE / Dinosaur
Level 9
3000/2800
This card cannot be Special Summoned. While face-up on the field, this card cannot be targeted by the effects of Traps or Effect Monsters. Once per turn, you can remove from play 1 "Jurak" monster with 1700 or less ATK from your Graveyard to have this card gain 1000 ATK until the End Phase.[/spoiler]

"Jurak Titan can't be targeted by Trap or monster effects." Fergusson announced. "And by removing Jurak Stauriko in my Graveyard from play, it gains an extra 1000 points of attack power, making it strong enough to end this in one shot!" Titan roared, plunging its hand into the water and grabbing the hapless dinosaur out of the depths. The smaller creature screeched and tried in vain to escape, but Titan mercilessly chomped down on its body, feeding on its essence and empowering itself with a new layer of flames. "Let's go! Jurak Titan, direct attack!" However, no sooner had he called the words than the almost predictable Trap card, Emissaries of Harmony, flipped face-up in Ylaidus' side. Fergusson sighed. It wouldn't have been a Gladial Beast deck without it.

[spoiler=Emissaries of Harmony]Emissaries of Harmony
TRAP / Normal
You take no Battle Damage this turn. Your monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn.[/spoiler]

"Che. I end my turn." He shrugged. With Titan on his field, his opponent's options were fairly limited.

Turn 4 - Ylaidus

Indeed, Ylaidus only Set a monster from his hand in face-down Defense Position, followed by a Set card in the back row. Fergusson grinned. I've got him on the ropes now.

Turn 5 - Firesoul

Alright... time to throw some bait. "I summon Prominence Knight!" A blindfolded, rapier-wielding medieval warrior, covered in silver plate, a streak of flames trailing behind his weapon, appeared next to the massive dinosaur. Even if he uses Prominence Knight as a target to swap out into a second Murmillo, Jurak Titan still can't be destroyed by its effect, and I can then set up my Graveyard and get ready to settle this... in the meantime, there aren't many Gladial Beasts with high defense power, but I'd still better play it safe, since I can't finish the match this turn anyway.

[spoiler=Prominence Knight]Prominence Knight
FIRE / Warrior
Level 4
1400/1200
When a FIRE monster is destroyed and sent to your Graveyard: Send 1 FIRE monster from your Deck to the Graveyard. When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard: Send 1 FIRE monster from your Deck to the Graveyard. You can only use 1 "Prominence Knight" effect per turn, and only once that turn.[/spoiler]

"Jurak Titan, attack his face-down monster!" He called out. The dinosaur roared, beginning its stampede.

However...

"Reverse card, open." Ylaidus called quietly as his monster revealed itself. "The Instant Magic, Collapse, cuts a monster's original attack power by half. Additionally, my face-down monster is Gladial Beast Hoplomus. Its 2100 defense points are enough to withstand your weakened strike." True enough, the massive armored rhinocerus, a protective barrier of floating slabs of metal floating around it, took Titan's stomping attack in stride, and retaliated by knocking the giant back with its body. Fergusson flinched as his Life Points dropped.

[spoiler=Collapse]Collapse
SPELL / Quick-Play
Target 1 face-up monster on the field; the original ATK of that monster is halved until the End Phase.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Hoplomus]Gladial Beast Hoplomus
EARTH / Rock
Level 4
700/2100
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, its original DEF becomes 2400. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can shuffle it into the Deck; Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Hoplomus".[/spoiler]

Firesoul - LP: 3400
Ylaidus - LP: 4000

He actually got first blood off me... tsk, I didn't expect Collapse because he played a defensive monster... still. His eyes narrowed. It's hard to think he wouldn't have a monster with more than 1500 attack points. Why didn't he destroy Titan on his last turn, and speed up his combo? He's planning something...

"During the end of the Battle Phase, the effect of Hoplomus, who survived the battle, activates." Ylaidus stated. "Hoplomus retreats, and in its place, I can Summon a new Gladial Beast." The defensive monster dissolved into particles, which reformed into a new creature, a dark-skinned dinosaur warrior, brandishing a giant halberd. "Gladial Beast Sparticus is unique, in that it can only be Special Summoned by the effect of Hoplomus. Also, when it is Special Summoned this way, I can add an Equip Spell unique to Gladial Beasts from my deck to my hand." So that's why - !! "The card I add is Armament of the Gladial Beasts - Manica." He withdrew a Spell card from his deck and displayed it.

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Sparticus]Gladial Beast Sparticus
EARTH / Dinosaur
Level 5
2200/1600
This card cannot be Special Summoned except by the effect of "Gladial Beast Hoplomus". When this card is Special Summoned, add 1 "Gladial Beast" Equip Spell Card from your Deck to your hand. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked, you can return it to the Deck to Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Spartacus".[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Armament of the Gladial Beasts - Manica]Armament of the Gladial Beasts - Manica
SPELL / Equip
Equip only to a "Gladial Beast" monster. It cannot be destroyed by battle (Damage calculation is applied normally). When the equipped monster is returned from your side of the field to the Deck and this card is sent to the Graveyard, return this card to your hand.[/spoiler]

"Kh. Turn end." Fergusson snapped. He'd have to tread carefully here.

Turn 6 - Ylaidus

"Summon, Gladial Beast Retiari." A reptilian warrior appeared, much smaller than its saurian counterpart, yet equally fierce, raising its trident in defiance. "And then... my Gladiators will unite their power. Contact Fusion." Fergusson cursed as the two monsters were sucked into the fusion vortex - Ylaidus picked up the pair of cards from his Duel Disk and replaced them in his deck, while retrieving a new card from his Extra Deck. "Summon, Gladial Beast Geordias."

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Retiari]Gladial Beast Retiari
WATER / Aqua
Level 3
1200/800
When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, you can remove from play 1 card from your opponent's Graveyard. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked, you can return it to the Deck to Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Retiari".[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Geordias]Gladial Beast Geordias
DARK / Dinosaur / Fusion
Level 7
2600/1500
"Gladial Beast Sparticus" + 1 "Gladial Beast" monster
This card can only be Special Summoned from the Extra Deck by returning the above Fusion Material Monsters from the field to the Deck. (You do not use "Polymerization".) When this card destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, inflict damage to your opponent equal to the DEF of the destroyed monster. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked, you can return it to the Extra Deck to Special Summon 2 "Gladial Beast" monsters from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Sparticus".[/spoiler]

"I equip Geordias with Armament of the Gladial Beasts - Manica." Ylaidus noted. The monster's left arm was coated in a bulky metal gauntlet. "Battle. Geordias attacks Prominence Knight." The gladiator lumbered forward, forcefully bringing its axe down on the warrior who hopelessly tried to defend himself. Prominence Knight was crushed, and along with it, a massive chunk of Fergusson's Life Points. Che...

Firesoul - LP: 2200
Ylaidus - LP: 4000

"Additionally, the effect of Gladial Beast Geordias activates. Since it destroyed a monster by battle, you now take further damage equal to its defense." The massive warrior casually backhanded Fergusson with the butt end of its weapon, causing him to groan, even though he felt no pain. His Life Points dropped to a quarter of their original value. I did set Prominence Knight out there to draw out some offense, but isn't this a little too much...

Firesoul - LP: 1000
Ylaidus - LP: 4000

"Prominence Knight also has an effect." Fergusson muttered. "When it is destroyed, I can send any Fire monster from the deck to the Graveyard." This will do... He plucked out a card and placed it straight into his discard slot.

"At the end of the Battle Phase, Geordias returns to the Extra Deck, and two effects activate." Ylaidus explained as the fused dinosaur disappeared. "First, the equipped Manica returns to my hand. And then, two Gladial Beast monsters are Summoned from my deck to the field. Come, Laquer, Darius." Fergusson grimaced as the fiery tiger-warrior from before, as well as a humanoid fighter with the legs and head of a horse, appeared side-by-side. I know what's coming now... "With the effect of Darius, Gladial Beast Murmillo is Special Summoned from the Graveyard." The seaborne fighter appeared next to the other two, completing the triple gladiator lineup.

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Darius]Gladial Beast Darius
EARTH / Beast-Warrior
Level 4
1700/300
When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster: You can target 1 “Gladial Beast” monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target, but its effect(s) is negated by this card, and it is shuffled into the Deck when this card leaves the field. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can shuffle it into the Deck; Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Darius".[/spoiler]

"Once more, my monsters will unite their strength. Contact Fusion." The three monsters were drawn into a blazing fusion vortex, and from within emerged a massive warrior, armed with axe in one hand and shield in the other, its bestial shape covered in ornate armor, and even backed by a pair of glowing energy wings. Herakleinos, the strongest of the Gladial Beast monsters. However, it was now crouching in Defense Position.

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Herakleinos]Gladial Beast Herakleinos
FIRE / Beast-Warrior / Fusion
Level 8
3000/2800
"Gladial Beast Laquer" + 2 "Gladial Beast" monsters
Must first be Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by shuffling the above cards you control into the Deck. (You do not use "Polymerization".) During either player's turn, when a Spell/Trap Card is activated: You can discard 1 card; negate the activation and destroy it. This card must remain face-up on the field to activate and to resolve this effect.[/spoiler]

"I equip Herakleinos with Manica." The new warrior took up the gauntlet left behind by Geordias. "Turn end."

Turn 7 - Firesoul

Alright, no need to worry... yet. Fergusson frowned. If he did nothing this turn, then next turn, Titan would be destroyed by Herakleinos, whose battle invulnerability was guaranteed by the equipment card. But while Herakleinos was on the field, Fergusson was restricted from freely using Spells and Traps, since Ylaidus could negate their effects by discarding cards from his hand. It wasn't an easy situation. But he didn't get this far through easy situations. He looked at his drawn card. Well, ain't this a treat.

"I activate the magic card, Shield Crush! It destroys a defending monster on the field, like your cowardly gladiator over there!" He pointed at Herakleinos, but Ylaidus plucked a card out of his hand and slid it into his Graveyard.

[spoiler=Shield Crush]Shield Crush
SPELL / Normal
Target 1 Defense Position monster on the field; destroy that target.[/spoiler]

"The effect of Herakleinos activates. I discard a card to negate the effect of your Magic card."

But, Fergusson was expecting that. "Chain!" Snatching a new card, he replaced the negated Shield Crush. "Instant magic, Cyclone! I destroy the Battle Manica which is equipped to Herakleinos!" Ylaidus frowned slightly, but made no move as a strong wind surrounded his monster, blowing its defensive armament away. Even if Herakleinos could activate its effect multiple times per turn, it was not possible to use it more than once per chain, so by activating the instant magic in response to its effect, Fergusson could ensure that its effect went off without a hitch.

[spoiler=Cyclone]Cyclone
SPELL / Quick-Play
Target 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field; destroy that target.[/spoiler]

However, once the tornado cleared, Fergusson realized that Herakleinos was no longer alone on the opposing side of the field. Two small sunflower monsters had appeared on each side of it, branches brought up in front of them defensively. The guy actually had Dandylion in his hand... well, Necro Gardna would have been more troublesome, but still. Now Ylaidus had three defensive monsters, and breaking through would be more difficult - but not impossible.

[spoiler=Dandylion]Dandylion
EARTH / Plant
Level 3
300/300
When this card is sent to the Graveyard: Special Summon 2 "Fluff Tokens" (Plant-Type/WIND/Level 1/ATK 0/DEF 0) in Defense Position. These Tokens cannot be Tributed for a Tribute Summon during the turn they are Special Summoned.[/spoiler]

"I summon Jurak Guaiba!" The long-necked blazing dinosaur took form next to its much larger counterpart. "And then I banish a monster from my Graveyard, the card I sent there earlier with the effect of Prominence Knight... Skull Flame! This allows me to Special Summon a new monster from my hand! Come forth, Speed King Skull Flame!"

Pitch-black flames leapt from the sea, coiling around themselves to form a shadowy cloaked figure, its head masked by a skull-shaped helmet wrapped in orange flames which flowed into a cape behind it. Immediately, the demon's body twisted, its lower half growing into the shape of a black horse, covered in gold stripes of ornate armor, with golden flames forming its tail.

[spoiler=Jurak Guaiba]Jurak Guaiba
FIRE / Dinosaur
Level 4
1700/1400
If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle: You can Special Summon 1 "Jurak" monster with 1700 or less ATK from your Deck, but it cannot declare an attack this Turn.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Skull Flame]Skull Flame
FIRE / Zombie
2600/2000
Once per turn, you can Special Summon 1 "Burning Skull Head" from your hand. You cannot conduct your Battle Phase the turn you activate this effect. You can add 1 "Burning Skull Head" from your Graveyard to your hand instead of conducting a normal draw in your Draw Phase.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Speed King Skull Flame]Speed King Skull Flame
WIND / Zombie
Level 10
2600/2000
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned by removing 1 "Skull Flame" in your Graveyard from play. Once per turn, you can inflict 400 damage to your opponent for each "Burning Skull Head" in your Graveyard. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, you can Special Summon 1 "Skull Flame" from your Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"Let's go! First, Jurak Titan attacks Gladial Beast Herakleinos!" The bulky dinosaur marched forward, colliding with the defending gladiator. Herakleinos rammed its shield into Titan's chest, forcing the beast back - however, the great jurassic behemoth snatched the warrior's axe between its jaws, refusing to release it. Herakleinos abandoned its weapon and instead raised its fist, slamming it down on Titan's head, but even as it was struck, Titan retaliated with vengeance, using its tail to hamstring its opponent's feet, causing Herakleinos to fall on its knees. Tossing the axe away, Titan clamped its maw over Herakleinos' head, and the gladiator screamed in agony, before its body exploded into particles that sank into the dark waters. Ylaidus watched on, not losing his composure.

"Next, Jurak Guaiba, and Skull Flame, destroy the Tokens!" The flame-wreathed centaur and dinosaur marched on, trampling the two weak plants under their feet without resistance. "And Guaiba's effect activates when it destroys a monster by battle, Special Summoning Jurak Dino from my deck, albeit it can't attack this turn." A small bipedal dinosaur, its body a deep crimson with flames exploding from its claws, appeared on the field.

[spoiler=Jurak Dino]Jurak Dino
FIRE / Dinosaur / Tuner
Level 3
1700/800
Once during each player's End Phase, if this card destroyed an opponent's monster by battle this turn, you can Tribute 1 "Jurak" monster to draw 2 cards.[/spoiler]

"Now, onto my second Main Phase. Now that Herakleinos is out of the picture, I can freely use my Spells and Traps... I activate Foolish Burial, sending a second copy of Skull Flame from my deck to the Graveyard." Now if Speed King Skull Flame was defeated, its previous form could be revived. "And I tune the Level 4, Dinosaur monster, Jurak Guaiba, to the Level 3, Jurak Dino!" Steam started rising from the ocean as the water quickly rose beyond boiling temperature. "Synchro Summon!" Guaiba's body dispersed into four blazing rings that lined up in the sky, crossed by three stars formed out of the Tuner. From within, a bulky blue-skinned dinosaur whose head and appendages were covered in orange flames, burst into existence, landing nimbly on a piece of debris. "Jurak Giganoto!"

[spoiler=Foolish Burial]Foolish Burial
SPELL / Normal
Send 1 monster from your Deck to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Jurak Giganoto]Jurak Giganoto
FIRE / Dinosaur / Synchro
Level 7
2100/1800
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner Dinosaur-Type monsters
All face-up "Jurak" monsters you control gain 200 ATK for each "Jurak" monster in your Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"With Giganoto's effect, my monsters power up." Titan and Giganoto itself rose to 3400 and 2500 attack power respectively. Between his three powerhouses, Fergusson was confident that the game was firmly going in his direction. "Turn end."

Turn 8 - Ylaidus

"You've done well to get this far." Ylaidus stated coolly. "But, this is the end. Your last chance disappeared just now."

"Hah. So you say, but from where I'm standing, my field looks pretty full and you have nothing!" No matter what he says, I have this in the bag! I know the Gladial Beast deck in-and-out, there aren't any plays he can make with just three cards that can turn this around! But disregarding this logic, Ylaidus placed a card in his monster card slot, immediately followed by a second.

"Gladial Beast Samnite is Normal Summoned." A tiger-headed warrior armed with a short energy sword and a shield, its black armor equipped with wings that allowed it to float, appeared on the field. "And then, because I control a Gladial Beast, Slave Tiger is Special Summoned." Next to Samnite, a red-eyed feline covered in light plated armor took form.

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Samnite]Gladial Beast Samnite
EARTH / Beast
Level 3
1600/1200
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, when this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard, you can add 1 "Gladial Beast" card from your Deck to your hand. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked, you can return it to the Deck to Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Samnite".[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Slave Tiger]Slave Tiger
EARTH / Beast
Level 3
600/300
If you control a face-up "Gladial Beast" monster, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). You can Tribute this card to target 1 face-up "Gladial Beast" monster you control; shuffle that target into the Deck, then Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" from your Deck, and treat it as if it was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster.[/spoiler]

He's gonna use Tiger's effect... but whatever he brings out, there's no way he can get past all my monsters! Thinking like this, Fergusson was surprised when Ylaidus instead slid the last card in his hand into his Spell and Trap card zone. "I activate Emergency Teleport." He declared. "This card Special Summons a Level 3 or lower Psychic type monster from my deck." A soldier riding a round, tank-like hovercraft appeared on his field. "Psycho Commander is Special Summoned."

[spoiler=Emergency Teleport]Emergency Teleport
SPELL / Quick-Play
Special Summon 1 Level 3 or lower Psychic-Type monster from your hand or Deck. During the End Phase this turn, remove from play that monster.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Psycho Commander]Psycho Commander
EARTH / Psychic / Tuner
Level 3
1400/800
When a Psychic-Type monster you control battles, during the Damage Step you can pay Life Points in multiples of 100 (max. 500) to have the monster it's battling lose that much ATK and DEF, until the End Phase.[/spoiler]

"H - hold on!" Fergusson recoiled, startled. "Psychic type monsters?!" He'd only caught a few rumors of a new monster type. Did this guy already have access to them? Worriedly checking the new monster's stats, he gritted his teeth. "Furthermore, a Tuner monster..." The appearance of this new monster had suddenly changed the playing field entirely.

"I tune the Level 3, Slave Tiger, to the Level 3, Psycho Commander." Three silver rings spread over the surface of the ocean, and from within its depths, three azure stars jumped into the sky, the structure coruscating into a single column of argent light. "Synchro Summon." A lupine howl echoed across the field. From within each of the three rings, now floating around the pillar of light, a wolfhead emerged, each with a pair of crimson eyes glaring straight at Fergusson. Silver spikes jumped out of the column, and the light collapsed into itself, forging the magnificent body of a blue bipedal beast, the three heads attached to its neck and arms. "Heavenly Wolf King, Blue Sirius."

[spoiler=Heavenly Wolf King, Blue Sirius]Heavenly Wolf King, Blue Sirius
DARK / Beast-Warrior / Synchro
Level 6
2400/1500
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
When this card on the field is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard: Target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; it loses 2400 ATK.[/spoiler]

"Well I'll be..." Fergusson muttered, glancing at the Synchro monster he had not seen before. It's weaker than any of my monsters... but I have a bad feeling about this...

"Battle. Blue Sirius attacks Jurak Giganoto."

"What?!" Fergusson was caught off-guard. Giganoto empowered itself and all other Jurak monsters with 200 points for every Jurak monster that rested in the cemetary, so its attack power stood at 2500 right now, slightly off-limits for the azure creature, which nonetheless jumped straight into the fray. Regardless, Giganoto reacted immediately, clenching its jaws around the wolf-man's neck. Crying out in pain and rage, Sirius launched its two arms forward, ramming the two wolfheads against the dinosaur's chest - twin pulses of blue and silver light exploded forward, causing Giganoto to stumble and nearly fall into the ocean. However, the great beast held its balance, twisting its head around and tossing Sirius into the air. Before the beast could react, Giganoto shot a ball of flame from its mouth that struck it straight in the chest. Sirius unleashed one last, mournful howl, as its charred remains fell into the sea.

Firesoul - LP: 1000
Ylaidus - LP: 3900

"What was the point of that?" Fergusson demanded. There was seemingly no merit in this suicidal move. Unless...

Slowly, six silver spikes rose from the sea where Sirius had fallen, floating into the air before rushing forward, impaling Giganoto. The dinosaur groaned in frustration, trying in vain to free its body, that was now pierced by six metal rods half as long as it was tall, and were sapping away its energy. Fergusson watched, mouth agape, as his monster's attack fell from 2500 to a mere 100. Oh no, my Life Points - !! But before he had even had time to realize it, Samnite was already standing in front of his weakened monster, delivering a downwards slash with its energy blade. Fergusson shielded his face as his monster exploded, and the resulting breakthrough damage -

Firesoul - LP: 0
Ylaidus - LP: 3900

With eyes that almost couldn't adjust to the reality of the situation, Fergusson watched his remaining two powerful monsters fade away into nothingness, as a system message declared Ylaidus the winner. I lost... just like that? The only minor dent in his opponent's Life Points had actually been caused by Ylaidus' own attack. In the end, what he had accomplished...

---

"So that didn't go as well as you had hoped, eh?" Fergusson glanced ruefully at his brother, who was sitting beside him at their personal Terminals. Thomas was taller by a fair margin, with light brown hair that flowed freely down his shoulders, and a kind, often somewhat aloof face, that could nonetheless take on an expression of unprecedented focus and fervor when the situation called for it.

"No." He admitted. "Damnit, that guy coming at me with new cards all of a sudden..."

"You must always be prepared for the unexpected." Thomas said sternly. "In the end, you lost because you overextended yourself. You misread your opponent's game plan and the situation at hand, and tired to secure an early edge. Ylaidus knew that if you pushed too early, then you'd be left with nothing to put on the table when the time for the last gamble came. In the end, you played right into his hands."

"Bah!" Fergusson slammed his hands onto the table. "What's wrong with going all-out from the start anyway!" Not waiting for an answer, he turned his attention back to the Terminal screen, that replayed the aftermath of the recently concluded duel.

"The final exhibition duel has been concluded. The winner is Ylaidus."

Those cold words echoed throughout the dark battlefield, as a figure appeared in the sky, floating in mid-air. Fergusson had immediately recognized the stark, solid figure of the black-haired man, imposing even in the virtual reality. He gritted his teeth. Dunkan... The CEO of Duel International's American branch, and unofficially the head of the entire company, had appread on the Ruins of Sargasso, looking down at them without expression. Even now, though, Fergusson could feel his disdain, his scorn. He only sees us as pawns... well, he's got another thing coming. He looked at his brother, and at the figure of Ylaidus, reflected through his terminal screen. Those guys... they are strong. He buried the frustration of his defeat in a surge of newfound resolve.

I won't lose next time. I will become stronger... and together, eventually, we'll settle the scores.

[/spoiler]

 

[Canopy Star - Eon Sphere]

Hello there. I have been reading Dead Zone for a while now, since before the hiatus, but this is the first time I've commented. I have read other works on this site, as Bahamut can attest, I read both Armageddon and 24, and enjoyed both, as well as this. I didn't realise it was back up, and had worried that it was consigned to the depths of the Creative Writing section forever.

 

First and foremost, can I thank you for both the hours of work you put into this, and the dedication necessary to return after so long in order to finish it. While it may seem unrewarding at times, remember that for every comment, probably 10 or so people read and do not comment, from shyness or fear of persecution, but they enjoy it nonetheless.

 

The main enjoyment I get from reading this (as well as from the shows) are the duels, with flashy plays and action and clever combos. Therefore, any feedback I give from now on will probably be on that rather than the story, although I can point out anything I personally didn't enjoy, as well as any inconsistencies.

 

One thing I am not clear on, probably from being away for so long, is what the motivation of Dunkan is. What is the Dead Zone, the Nexus and the Pylons, and why does Dunkan want to go there, or whatever it is he is scheming towards. Maybe you already did a recap, or maybe It hasn't been revealed yet, in which case I am sorry, but at the moment what I see is two sides fighting for no reason but 'we think he's doing something really bad so we need to stop him'. Again, apologies if you've made it clear, I've only been reading recently from where we left off, just before the most recent Machine Emperor duels.

 

Speaking of which, I do enjoy most of your duels, with the exception of the appearance of Lackluster Soldier (who pretty much removed the need for any kind of critical thought at the end of the duel) and Maya's duel with herself that got increasingly confusing as time went on (which might have been the intention, but still). I did enjoy the Machine Emperor duels, but as has been noted before, the whole idea of shared life as a mechanic doesn't really work when you end the duel before it even becomes relevant.

 

Liked the most recent extra chapter, nice seeing a duel that was evenly matched to begin with end so catastrophically. Obviously you have major talent when it comes to writing duels, and I wonder (simply out of curiosity) if you start at whatever conclusion you want and work backwards to the first move or plan from the beginning to reach a desired result.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

*bows down before the generous and gracious master*

 

Already PM'd you my thoughts on this.

 

I'm just publically posting how awesome this is, and how much I'm looking forward to the rematch (again >=D)

 

And hoping you get through the next few months of your life incident free as well, given the amount of s***. You have everyone's patience and support man

 

*glowers at other readers* Right guys? >=/

[Vector Nightmare]

Hello there. I have been reading Dead Zone for a while now, since before the hiatus, but this is the first time I've commented. I have read other works on this site, as Bahamut can attest, I read both Armageddon and 24, and enjoyed both, as well as this. I didn't realise it was back up, and had worried that it was consigned to the depths of the Creative Writing section forever.

 

First and foremost, can I thank you for both the hours of work you put into this, and the dedication necessary to return after so long in order to finish it. While it may seem unrewarding at times, remember that for every comment, probably 10 or so people read and do not comment, from shyness or fear of persecution, but they enjoy it nonetheless.

 

Hey there, thanks for commenting. Yeah after some years you do learn to live without much comments. Still any and all are appreciated.

 

The main enjoyment I get from reading this (as well as from the shows) are the duels, with flashy plays and action and clever combos. Therefore, any feedback I give from now on will probably be on that rather than the story, although I can point out anything I personally didn't enjoy, as well as any inconsistencies.

 

I'm glad to hear that, especially given that the decks used must seem quite outdated now, even those that were pretty good back in the day. I always worry that my duels tend to get too 'dramatic', choreography-wise, because of how often and quickly duelists are put in 'check' position (primarily due to trying to mix in high-level decks with 4000 LP).

 

One thing I am not clear on, probably from being away for so long, is what the motivation of Dunkan is. What is the Dead Zone, the Nexus and the Pylons, and why does Dunkan want to go there, or whatever it is he is scheming towards. Maybe you already did a recap, or maybe It hasn't been revealed yet, in which case I am sorry, but at the moment what I see is two sides fighting for no reason but 'we think he's doing something really bad so we need to stop him'. Again, apologies if you've made it clear, I've only been reading recently from where we left off, just before the most recent Machine Emperor duels.

 

Whoa, whoa there. Yes, Dunkan's personal motivation has not been revealed yet, although some things have been hinted at. But the reason the two sides are fighting is pretty clear and palpable - what Duel International is doing is pretty much wrecking the world, and the 'good guys' are pretty much trying to stop it. Furthermore, in regards to the Nexus in general, it can be thought of as an almost infinite energy source. You can see why anyone would want to gain access to it.

 

Anyway, the answers you are probably looking for will be explored in-depth in the final arc. It won't be a long wait now.

 

Speaking of which, I do enjoy most of your duels, with the exception of the appearance of Lackluster Soldier (who pretty much removed the need for any kind of critical thought at the end of the duel) and Maya's duel with herself that got increasingly confusing as time went on (which might have been the intention, but still). I did enjoy the Machine Emperor duels, but as has been noted before, the whole idea of shared life as a mechanic doesn't really work when you end the duel before it even becomes relevant.

 

Well... yeah. Maya vs Maya had some problems. With that duel the point wasn't so much the duel itself, rather than to convey the whole backstory, emotion and development properly. Hence why a lot of awkward / confusing moves had to happen. Not one of my finest duel choreographies, I'll be the first to admit.

 

Regarding BLS... well, I thought it was a cool moment =/ but I can see why it wouldn't work for everyone.

 

And yeah, I kinda realized the shared LP thing kinda fell flat there. But it was way too late to go back and change all that, so I just left it as is.

 

Liked the most recent extra chapter, nice seeing a duel that was evenly matched to begin with end so catastrophically. Obviously you have major talent when it comes to writing duels, and I wonder (simply out of curiosity) if you start at whatever conclusion you want and work backwards to the first move or plan from the beginning to reach a desired result.

 

It depends on the duel. Duels that end up with a complex combo play require quite a bit of reverse engineering to veer the duel to the appropriate gamestate. Duels that mostly come down to a topdeck can be planned out from the beginning to the end instead, and typically are considerably easier to map out. Most duels actually need a combination of both. What I do is decide on a few key plays for each duelist, then try to arrange them in a back-and-forth way (if I want an evenly matched duel, that is). Then fill the gaps with "small moves" that showcase the decks' strengths and weaknesses, adding as much variety as possible.

 

And now it's time to enjoy the next chapter. This one gave me a bit of grief, as I belatedly realized a mistake in the duel choreography that needed to be corrected, and ended up rewriting a lot of it (for the second time, as I had already rewritten it once before due to some other factors that needed changing). The twisted story of Fergusson, Eizan and Ylaidus begins to unravel, and we're counting down to the explosive arc finale now...

 

[spoiler=Chapter 69]

Chapter 69: Destiny Signal

"Duel!!"

Fergusson and Ylaidus blazed through the Road to Tomorrow. Since the pathway had no corners to speak of, the first turn was set to the rider who covered a certain distance first. The two D-Wheels, powered-up by their riders' furious fighting spirits, competed for each inch, and with each clash of black and crimson, sparks flew and the D-Wheels shot to opposite directions, threatening to be shoved off the spectral pathway into the infinite abyss beyond. Still they pressed on, without the slightest hesitation, onward to the next clash. In the end, the monstrous-sized black D-Wheel that carried Ylaidus edged ahead slightly, and the Japanese champion - Miyataka Eizan's alter ego - secured the first turn.

Ylaidus - LP: 4000
Firesoul - LP: 4000

Turn 1 - Ylaidus

"Draw." Fergusson tensed. He could feel it. Ylaidus... right now, he should be no more than an empty shell. But the willpower, the fighting intent that pulsed through him, almost forming a physical aura around him... it was undeniably real. It brought back uneasy memories - the last, and only, time they had met before on the field of battle, right after the continental championships. A battle in which Fergusson had suffered a crushing defeat. There was no question - this duel would be even harder. The man who rode ahead of him was the highest-ranked duelist in the world with incomparable skill and ability.
d
He found himself grinning. If this was so - then he would rise to this final challenge.

"I summon Gladial Beast Retiari to the field." Ylaidus announced. A bipedal green-skinned crocodile-like creature brandishing a trident appeared, running besides Ylaidus' D-Wheel. "Two cards face-down. Turn end."

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Retiari]Gladial Beast Retiari
WATER / Aqua
Level 3
1200/800
When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, you can remove from play 1 card from your opponent's Graveyard. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked, you can return it to the Deck to Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Retiari".[/spoiler]

Gladial Beasts. Of course, Fergusson was already familiar with the deck, which had already won Ylaidus the championship in Japan and their previous bout. These monsters could swap themselves out for another of their kin when they were done battling. Obviously, they needed to remain on the field for that, and that meant that one of Ylaidus' reverse cards was most likely meant to ensure that. Ah well. There was no use overthinking things. "My turn! Draw!" He edged closer to his leading opponent, as the Speed Counters rose.

Turn 2 - Firesoul

Ylaidus - SPC: 1
Firesoul - SPC: 1

"I summon Jurak Guaiba!" With its effect, the blazing bipedal dinosaur was perfect to draw out what Ylaidus might have in store. "Guaiba, attack!"

[spoiler=Jurak Guaiba]Jurak Guaiba
FIRE / Dinosaur
Level 4
1700/400
If this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle, you can Special Summon 1 "Jurak" monster with 1700 or less ATK from your Deck. It cannot declare an attack this turn.[/spoiler]

"Naive. During the damage step, I activate my reverse card, Emissaries of Harmony. This negates all battle damage and monster destruction." Guaiba bit into Retiari's neck, but the reptilian soldier retaliated with its trident, pushing it away. The battle ended in a stalemate.

[spoiler=Emissaries of Harmony]Emissaries of Harmony
TRAP / Normal
You take no Battle Damage this turn. Your monsters cannot be destroyed by battle this turn.[/spoiler]

"I'm sure you know what comes next. When your battle phase ends, Retiari returns back to the deck, and in its stead, I can Special Summon Gladial Beast Murmillo." An aquatic seahorse-like animal, equipped nonetheless with a powerful cannon mounted on its back, materialized in place of Retiari, which vanished back into the deck. "And Murmillo's effect activates when it is thus Special Summoned, instantly destroying your monster." The cannon equipped on Murmillo's back fired several rockets, which plowed through the hapless dinosaur instantly, obliterating it.

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Murmillo]Gladial Beast Murmillo
WATER / Fish
Level 3
800/400
 When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster: Target 1 face-up monster; destroy that target. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can shuffle it into the Deck; Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Murmillo".[/spoiler]

"Moving on, my reverse card. Handicap Match! activates, letting me further Special Summon another Gladial Beast. Come forth, Bestrouli." A fighter clad in bird-shaped mechanical green armor appeared next to the sea creature.

[spoiler=Handicap Match!]Handicap Match!
TRAP / Normal
Activate only when you successfully Special Summon a "Gladial Beast" monster. Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Gladial Beast" monster from your hand or Deck.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Bestrouli]Gladial Beast Bestrouli
WIND / Winged Beast
Level 4
1500/800
When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster: Target 1 Spell/Trap Card; destroy that target. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can shuffle it into the Deck; Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Bestrouli".[/spoiler]

Fergusson ground his teeth. It was still his turn and that bastard was outnumbering him two-to-zero. But what would follow was even worse news. Well, it wasn't like he hadn't learned anything. "I set two cards. Turn end." Ylaidus quietly drew his next card, and Speed Counters edged upwards.

Turn 3 - Ylaidus

Ylaidus - SPC: 2
Firesoul - SPC: 2

"I activate Speed Spell - Angel Baton." Ylaidus declared. "I draw two cards, and then send a card from my hand to the Graveyard. Then, Bestrouli and Murmillo will bring their strengths together. Contact Fusion." The two monsters rippled, auras of green and blue forming around them that leapt into the sky, forming a large spiral. "Gladial Beast Gaizares."

[spoiler=Speed Spell - Angel Baton]Speed Spell - Angel Baton
SPELL / Normal
Activate only while you have 2 or more Speed Counters. Draw 2 cards. Then, send 1 card from your hand to the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"Ch, he's not making this fun..." Fergusson watched warily as a giant avian creature, in full black armor with shining green wings materialized out of the vortex.

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Gaizares]Gladial Beast Gaizares
DARK / Winged Beast / Fusion
Level 6
2400/1500
"Gladial Beast Bestrouli" + 1 "Gladial Beast" monster
This card can only be Special Summoned from your Extra Deck by returning the above cards you control to the Deck. (You do not use "Polymerization".) When this card is Special Summoned, you can destroy up to 2 cards on the field. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked, you can return this card to the Extra Deck to Special Summon 2 "Gladial Beast" monsters from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Bestrouli".[/spoiler]

"Gaizares' effect automatically destroys both of your reverse cards." Ylaidus pointed at his field.

"Sorry but, not happening. I activate my first face-down card, Hunting Instinct! Since you just Special Summoned a monster, this allows me to Special Summon Ancient Dino from my hand." A massive bipedal dinosaur with two small wings materialized on his field all of a sudden.

[spoiler=Hunting Instinct]Hunting Instinct
TRAP / Normal
Activate only when a monster is Special Summoned to your opponent's side of the field. Special Summon 1 Dinosaur-Type monster from your hand.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Ancient Dino]Ancient Dino
EARTH / Dinosaur
Level 8
2700/1400
You can Tribute Summon this card in face-up Attack Position by Tributing 1 Dinosaur-Type monster. When a Dinosaur-Type monster is Special Summoned from your Graveyard, you can draw 1 card.[/spoiler]

"And then, my second Trap card!" Fergusson flipped the second card that had been targeted by Gaizares. "Threatening Roar seals your Battle Phase this turn!"

[spoiler=Threatening Roar]Threatening Roar
TRAP / Normal
Your opponent cannot declare an attack this turn.[/spoiler]

"Clever." Ylaidus admitted. "Threatening Roar is a useful card against a Gladial Beast deck. I see you've come prepared."

"Heh. I don't need to be praised by you." Fergusson scoffed.

"Then I summon Gladial Beast Hoplomus in defense mode." The heavily armored rhino monster appeared on his field, kneeling defensively. Riding Duels prevented the setting of monsters, and in return allowed duelists to summon them directly to face-up defense position, which reduced the element of surprise. A fact which Fergusson was grateful for, right now. "Additionally, I set one card. Turn end."

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Hoplomus]Gladial Beast Hoplomus
EARTH / Rock
Level 4
700/2100
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, its original DEF becomes 2400. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can shuffle it into the Deck; Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Hoplomus".[/spoiler]

"Draw." Fergusson snatched a card out of his deck.

Turn 4 - Firesoul

Ylaidus - SPC: 3
Firesoul - SPC: 3

Despite managing to avoid suffering from Gaizares' effect, Fergusson was still in a difficult position. To get out of this pinch... I'm going to have to take some chances. "I summon Jurak Auro." A baby dinosaur, still half-hidden in its egg, materialized next to him. "Next, I release Jurak Auro, to Special Summon Jurak Guaiba from the Graveyard. At this time, Ancient Dino's effect activates. When I Special Summon a Dinosaur monster from the Graveyard, I can draw one card." He waited with baited breath, but Ylaidus remained silent. Not War Chariot, then. Was his Trap card was meant to protect his monsters from attacks and let them use their effects? Or was it something else entirely? He gritted his teeth.

[spoiler=Jurak Auro]Jurak Auro
FIRE / Dinosaur / Tuner
Level 1
200/200
You can Tribute this card to select 1 Level 4 or lower "Jurak" monster in your Graveyard, except "Jurak Auro". Special Summon that monster from the Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"Battle!" He snarled. "Ancient Dino attacks Gaizares!" If this got through, he could at least -

"Trap, activate." Ylaidus announced smoothly. "Roar of Pride raises Gaizares' attack power to match that of its attacker, plus 300. However, I have to pay Life Points equal to the discrepancy." His Life Points took a minor hit, but in exchange, Gaizares was now stronger than Ancient Dino. The worst possible scenario... The fused gladiator dashed to meet the charging dinosaur, slashing it in half with its bladed weaponry.

Ylaidus - LP: 3700
Firesoul - LP: 3700

"I end my battle phase." He admitted. Guaiba couldn't touch Hoplomus, much less Gaizares. As expected, Gaizares disappeared into particles, and Ylaidus retrieved two new cards from his deck.

"With the effect of Gaizares, I call Gladial Beast Darius, and Gladial Beast Murmillo to the field." A horse-like creature standing on its hind legs, wielding a metal whip, appeared, followed by the aquatic warrior. "Murmillo's effect destroys Guaiba." Fergusson flinched as, for the second time in a few turns, his dinosaur was speared through by the Gladial Beast. "And the effect of Darius revives Gladial Beast Laquer, which I discarded with Angel Baton, from the Graveyard." A lizard-like warrior covered in brilliant scarlet and gold armor, surrounded by a ring of flames rose from the ground.

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Darius]Gladial Beast Darius
EARTH / Beast-Warrior
Level 4
1700/300
When this card is Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster: You can target 1 “Gladial Beast” monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target, but its effect(s) is negated by this card, and it is shuffled into the Deck when this card leaves the field. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can shuffle it into the Deck; Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Darius".[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Laquer]Gladial Beast Laquer
FIRE / Beast-Warrior
Level 4
1800/400
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, its original ATK becomes 2100. At the end of the Battle Phase, if this card attacked or was attacked: You can shuffle it into the Deck; Special Summon 1 "Gladial Beast" monster from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Laquer".[/spoiler]

"No matter how much they struggle, they will be called upon to fight, again and again, until body and spirit gives way and they are returned to dust. That is the life of gladiators. Like them, we are bound to our fates, and however we try to escape, we are still pulled in by the unbreakable threads of destiny." Ylaidus mused, as he studied the state of the field. The situation had been dire before, but it was pretty desperate now, with four Gladial Beasts facing Fergusson's empty side.

"That was some nice poetry there, but even gladiators could earn their freedom if they were lucky enough, and if they seized the chance when it appeared to them." Fergusson countered. "And I intend to seize that chance." I won't give up! "I set a card face-down. Turn end."

Turn 5 - Ylaidus

Ylaidus - SPC: 4
Firesoul - SPC: 4

"Freedom?" Ylaidus inquired as he drew. "There is no such thing for either of us. The chance you aim for is but an illusion, a fragment of the past you still cling to."

"Shut up!" Fergusson snapped, anger beginning to boil inside him. "You have no right to talk about that! Not when you betrayed me and my brother!"

"Betrayed? No." Ylaidus turned to look at him, eyes unreadable behind the vizor of his black helmet. "Thomas was a very intelligent man. He had uncovered my true identity almost from the beginning. He had also worked out that the project was doomed to failure."

"My brother... what?" Fergusson demanded. "What the hell are you talking about?!"

"The path we're driving along now, the Road to Tomorrow, cannot lead to the Nexus - not as things stand, anyway. It was never meant to, from the beginning. It was as Miyataka Eizan had designed. But Thomas caught on - he saw through Eizan's true intentions, and the perceived flaws of the plan. Ambitious as he was, your brother kept this all to himself - he wanted to, needed to, reach the Nexus, no matter what. When it became clear that what he had been planning would not be enough, he ended REVOLT himself, by destroying the Crimson Sanctum in a cataclysmic blast that he hoped would allow him to achieve his goal. But not before he destroyed all evidence regarding your involvement in order to protect you, and your role in this was supposed to end there. You were simply stubborn enough to continue the work all by yourself."

Fergusson's throat felt dry. Everything... everything he had thought true about his brother's deck... had it all been a lie he had fabricated and fed to himself? "My brother... he... voluntarily sacrificed himself to stop Eizan's designs?"

"He tried to, at least." Ylaidus stated. "However, it was futile effort. Everything that happened had been anticipated in advance. Both you and your brother played out your roles splendidly, forging the tapestry of chaos that surrounds us now. Neither of you deviated in the slightest from the path that had been carved out for you."

"You bastard - !!" Fergusson tried hard to suppress his anger. This guy had been manipulating them from the beginning. The incomplete implementation of the project REVOLT, his brother's sacrifice and even Fergusson's work since then to complete the Road had all been the result of his machinations. But if he lost his temper now, he was dead. Ylaidus wasn't an opponent he could beat if he allowed his emotions to override his focus.

"Contact Fusion." Ylaidus commanded. "Hoplomus, Laquer, and Murmillo - their combined strength shall become as one." The three monsters disappeared into the fusion vortex. "I summon Gladial Beast Herakleinos." The armored, axe-wielding ultimate Gladial Beast began descending from the sky.

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Herakleinos]Gladial Beast Herakleinos
FIRE / Beast-Warrior / Fusion
Level 8
3000/2800
"Gladial Beast Laquer" + 2 "Gladial Beast" monsters
Must first be Special Summoned (from your Extra Deck) by shuffling the above cards you control into the Deck. (You do not use "Polymerization".) During either player's turn, when a Spell/Trap Card is activated: You can discard 1 card; negate the activation and destroy it. This card must remain face-up on the field to activate and to resolve this effect.[/spoiler]

"Getting a little confident, aren't we?" Fergusson remarked snidely. "Having been defeated by you before, did you really think I'd come here without an answer to your strongest monster? I activate Black Horn of Ascension! This Counter Trap card negates the Special Summon of a monster and destroys it before it can even reach the field!" A booming sound echoed throughout the formerly quiet Road, and Herakleinos, whose form had just begun materializing, roared in agony as its body was torn to shreds by the malevolent sonic waves.

[spoiler=Black Horn of Ascension]Black Horn of Ascension
TRAP / Counter
When your opponent would Special Summon a monster: Negate the Special Summon, and if you do, destroy it.[/spoiler]

"I summon the Tuner monster, Attack Gainer." If Ylaidus was fazed at all by the removal of his strongest asset from the equation, it did not show. A small-bodied warrior with a mane of crimson hair appeared, running along the two gladiators. Fergusson was taken aback. A Tuner monster? It wasn't good news, for sure... but he'd have to brave through it.

[spoiler=Attack Gainer]Attack Gainer
EARTH / Warrior / Tuner
Level 1
0/0
If this card is sent to the Graveyard as a Synchro Material Monster, select 1 face-up monster your opponent controls. The selected opponent's monster loses 1000 ATK until the End Phase.[/spoiler]

"You said you were prepared. But you are not. Not for this." Ylaidus voice had taken on a serious tone - despite himself, Fergusson flinched. Just what... is he going to do?

"I tune the Level 4, Gladial Beast Darius, to the Level 1, Attack Gainer." Beside him, a single circle formed out of Attack Gainer's body, and the gladiator monster flowed through it, dispersing into four dark brown stars. "Synchro Summon." The light gave way to reveal an unexpected sight - a pink-haired witch in brown robes, featuring cybernetic blue wings on her back.

"Tech Genus Wonder Magician."

[spoiler=Tech Genus Wonder Magician]Tech Genus Wonder Magician
LIGHT / Spellcaster / Synchro
Level 5
1900/0
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
When this card is Synchro Summoned, select 1 Spell/Trap Card on the field and destroy it. When this card on the field is destroyed, draw 1 card. During your opponent's Main Phase, you can Synchro Summon using this face-up card you control as a Synchro Material Monster.[/spoiler]

"...Tech Genus?" Fergusson frowned, noting the futuristic appearance of the sorceress that appeared in front of him, a card which he had never heard about before. And with Ylaidus going as far as to modify his deck specifically to accommodate it, it was certainly bad news. "Alright, spit it. What's the deal with this monster?"

"I'm sure you are aware, that with evolution and development, comes increasing danger, in various forms. Human technology is a prime example. In the middle of the 20th century, man found a way to tap into atomic energy, what was then considered a wondrous, unlimited source of power. And so it was - but its first practical application, was the atomic bomb, a weapon which for almost fifty years was a very real threat to all life on the planet. Evolution isn't possible without risk and danger, and more often than not, that danger proves lethal. And because of this, people often try to stem the flow of evolution, put a stop to natural progress." For the first time, Ylaidus' voice was tinted with emotion... contempt? Fergusson listened carefully.

"Much like the example I brought up before, what we here call Synchro Summoning was used in a different world as a means of tapping into an alternative power source. The natural attunement that is required for Synchro Summoning acted as a resonator, synchronizing and drawing forth the power that dwells within the planet's core. This energy was called Momentum, because it could be, in theory, infinitely recycled as long as it was kept in motion through spiral-like formations - the Synchro Summoning sequence is no coincidence. Because of this, though, Momentum was very volatile. Even a small disruption in the spiral structure could cause an extreme overflow of energy, with the ability to cause widespread destruction of previously unheard of scale."

"Naturally, some of that world's denizens grew increasingly wary and fearful of the impact of that power, especially if it fell into the wrong hands. This resulted in the creation of the robotic sentinels that are called Machine Emperors - Dunkan now has control of them. Powerful enough to compare with transcendent phantasms, but entities of inviolable order, carefully created to not disrupt the cosmic balance. The Machine Emperors waged war against the Synchro monsters, and with their ability to absorb their power and use it as their own, they quickly dominated the battlefield. However..." Ylaidus looked at him and smiled. "You can't stop the flow of evolution. Like trying to impose order on chaos, it is completely futile. The ultimate extreme of Synchro summoning and at the same time the final weapon against the Machine Emperors... this is what the Tech Genus monsters are."

"So you're saying that... these monsters are designed to counter the Machine Emperors and their ability to absorb Synchro monsters, while at the same time being Synchro monsters themselves." Fergusson muttered doubtfully. "What... what happened to that world, where all his originated from?"

"You can already guess the answer, can't you? The Machine Emperors were defeated, but in the pinnacle of the war, Momentum slipped out of control. There was not even enough time for the world to be destroyed by the rampaging Momentum. When the Machine Emperors were destroyed by the new Synchro monsters, a huge influx of chaotic energy surged through the world. In an instant, the Outer Sphere was ripped apart, and everything was burned to oblivion by the Nexus."

"And yet here you are, casually brandishing those monsters around." Fergusson muttered darkly. "You people... really don't care if the world is destroyed, do you?"

"No." Ylaidus confirmed flatly. "And as I recall, neither do you. You should understand the implications of what you are trying to accomplish full well. Whether it is through the Aria Tower or through the Road to Tomorrow, if the Nexus is reached, the world will most likely burn all the same."

"Hey, if the world is blowing up, it's blowing up on my own terms." Fergusson growled. "I'm not gonna dance to your or your freaky alter ego's strings any more. Get on with your turn."

"As you wish." Ylaidus shrugged. "Your field is open now. Wonder Magician, direct attack." Fergusson ducked low on his D-Wheel, trying to avoid the pinkish stream of energy that shot forth from the cybernetic spellcaster's wand. However, the energy spiralled forward, surrounding him and burning through him much like an electrical shock would. Despite his best efforts to grind his teeth and bear it, Fergusson screamed as the pain ripped through his mind, scorch marks appearing on his skin. More than half his Life Points were wiped out in one shot.

Ylaidus - LP: 3700
Firesoul - LP: 1800

"I end my turn with a reverse card." Ylaidus, of course, paid no heed to his struggles. Fergusson managed to steer his vehicle back into proper course.

Turn 6 - Firesoul

Ylaidus - SPC: 5
Firesoul - SPC: 5

"I..." Fergusson confirmed the identity of the card he had just drawn. Finally, something good. "I activate Speed Spell - Angel Baton." Just like Ylaidus had before him, Fergusson drew two cards. Well I'll be damned... This was either a set of completely dead draws, or an amazing opportunity. It would have to come down to his next draw. "I set two cards face-down. And next, I Normal Summon UFO Turtle in Defense mode." The alien fiery turtle appeared before him - Fergusson hoped it would stave off some of his opponent's offense for a while. "Turn end."

[spoiler=UFO Turtle]UFO Turtle
FIRE / Machine
Level 4
1400/1200
When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard, you can Special Summon 1 FIRE monster with 1500 or less ATK from your Deck in face-up Attack Position.[/spoiler]

Turn 7 - Ylaidus

Ylaidus - SPC: 6
Firesoul - SPC: 6

"Your defenses won't last long against these monsters." Ylaidus said as if reading his mind. "I summon Gladial Beast Secutor, and activate my face-down Angel Lift, reviving Attack Gainer." A bipedal green-skinned lizard equipped with heavy metal armor with turbines attached to its back, followed by the revived Tuner warrior, flanked Wonder Magician, and Fergusson had a sinking feeling he knew what was coming next.

[spoiler=Gladial Beast Secutor]Gladial Beast Secutor
WIND / Reptile
Level 4
400/300
If this card was Special Summoned by the effect of a "Gladial Beast" monster, then at the end of any Battle Phase in which this card attacked or was attacked: Special Summon 2 "Gladial Beast" monsters from your Deck, except "Gladial Beast Secutor".[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Angel Lift]Angel Lift
TRAP / Continuous
Select 1 Level 2 or lower monster from your Graveyard and Special Summon it in Attack Position. When this card is removed from the field, destroy that monster. When that monster is removed from the field, destroy this card.[/spoiler]

"I tune the Level 4, Gladial Beast Secutor, to the Level 1, Attack Gainer. Synchro Summon." The two monsters spiralled into a Synchro array, and a new warrior emerged, clad in medieval-styled dark green armor and brandishing a battle axe. "Tech Genus Power Gladiator."

[spoiler=Tech Genus Power Gladiator]Tech Genus Power Gladiator
LIGHT / Warrior / Synchro
Level 5
2300/1000
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
During battle between this attacking monster and a Defense Position monster whose DEF is lower than the ATK of this card, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent. When this card on the field is destroyed, draw 1 card.[/spoiler]

"Attack Gainer's effect lowers the attack of your monster by 1000 points." UFO Turtle was enveloped in a weakening red aura. "But what you should be worried about is Power Gladiator, because his own effect deals piercing damage." Oh for the love of - ! "Power Gladiator attacks UFO Turtle." Dashing instantly across the field, the brutal warrior cut down Fergusson's monster with one swing of its axe. Fergusson screamed as breakthrough damage struck him in the form of a wall of searing flames, bringing him lower than Speed World's safety line.

Ylaidus - LP: 3700
Firesoul - LP: 700

"UFO Turtle's effect Special Summons a second one from my deck!" He snapped, as a new monster identical to the last appeared from the wreckage of the former mechanical amphibian.

"In attack position, though." Ylaidus observed. "Wonder Magician will attack that one as well." The sorceress released a ball of pink flames from her staff that incinerated Fergusson's monster. He winced as his Life Points took a further dive. Now only the bare minimum stood between him and defeat. He grunted, trying to maintain his focus, which was getting harder and harder after each consecutive blow.

Ylaidus - LP: 3700
Firesoul - LP: 200

"I use the effect of UFO Turtle to Special Summon Jurak Brachis from my deck." A rather small quadripedal dinosaur, its body up to its elongated neck wreathed in flames, appeared before him. It was a gamble, but with that troublesome Gladiator, it was the best Fergusson could make of the situation. Of course, it would all be futile if the last card in Ylaidus' hand turned out to be a Speed Spell. The seconds passed agonizingly by, as Ylaidus studied that card.

"Turn end." He said finally. Fergusson barely managed to contain a sigh of relief.

[spoiler=Jurak Brachis]Jurak Brachis
FIRE / Dinosaur
Level 3
1000/1000
While another face-up "Jurak" monster is on the field, this card cannot be destroyed by battle.[/spoiler]

Turn 8 - Firesoul

Ylaidus - SPC: 7
Firesoul - SPC: 7

"My... turn." Alright... I need something good here. His two face-downs were entirely useless unless another condition was met. He had to make it happen. "Draw!!" Heh, I still got it.

"I activate Speed Spell - Vision Wind!" He announced, placing the Speed Spell version of Ylaidus' former Trap on his D-Wheel's console. "Vision Wind revives a Level 2 or lower monster from the Graveyard for one turn, as long as I have two or more Speed Counters. Return to the field, Jurak Auro!" The small dinosaur jumped up from the grave, squeezing out of its egg and baring its teeth at the Tech Genus monsters. And now Fergusson's plan could be set in motion.

[spoiler=Speed Spell - Vision Wind]Speed Spell - Vision Wind
SPELL / Normal
Activate only while you have 2 or more Speed Counters. Select and Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower monster from your Graveyard. Destroy it during the End Phase.[/spoiler]

"The total attack of my monsters is 1200. Together, they are weaker than Wonder Magician." He stated. "This means, I can activate these two! Life-Risking Treasure Cards!" Both his copies of the situational Trap card, that he had nonetheless somehow managed to make good use out of, were flipped face-up. "With both their effects, I draw four cards!"

[spoiler=Life-Risking Treasure Cards]Life-Risking Treasure Cards
TRAP / Normal
Draw 2 cards, if the combined ATK of all your face-up Attack Position monsters (minimum 2) is less than the ATK of your opponent's face-up monster with the lowest ATK. You cannot Summon or change Battle Position the turn you activate this card.[/spoiler]

"I see." Ylaidus noted neutrally as Fergusson's hand was replenished. "You've certainly shifted to a more tactical approach since last we fought. That is commendable - but is it sufficient?"

"Hah. See for yourself!" Confident on the rise, Fergusson raised his hand. "I sacrifice Jurak Auro to Special Summon Jurak Guaiba from the Graveyard! And I tune the Level 4, Dinosaur monster, Jurak Guaiba, to the Level 3, Jurak Brachis!" Auro activated its revival effect once more, bringing back Guaiba to the field, and the two dinosaurs spun into a Synchro array, allowing the massive Synchro monster to take form, running alongside Fergusson's D-Wheel. "Jurak Giganoto!"

[spoiler=Jurak Giganoto]Jurak Giganoto
FIRE / Dinosaur / Synchro
Level 7
2100/1800
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner Dinosaur-Type monsters
All face-up "Jurak" monsters you control gain 200 ATK for each "Jurak" monster in your Graveyard.[/spoiler]

"Giganoto's attack power raises by 200 for every Jurak monster in the Graveyard, that means, a 600 point power boost!" Giganoto's power jumped to 2700. "It is now stronger than your monsters!"

"...are they now."

Fergusson's attention snapped to Ylaidus, who had muttered those cryptic words. But his opponent was looking forward. Surprised, Fergusson watched him accelerate suddenly, kicking his D-Wheel to at least twice its previous velocity. Grinding his teeth, he slammed on his own accelerators, engaging the Overdrive system - like hell he would let this bastard escape! A violent gale swept past him as they rode at supersonic speeds, and the kaleidoscope of the Road to Tomorrow became a psychedelic blur. Despite this, Ylaidus' words could be clearly heard over the noise of the engines. "Wonder Magician is a unique type of Synchro monster... it is also a Tuner monster."

"A Synchro monster that's also a Tuner?" Fergusson frowned. He had never heard of such a thing before. But it wasn't anything revolutionary that could change his opponent's predicament. Unless...

"All Synchro Tuner monsters share a special ability. An ability that can only be activated at the pinnacle of speed." Ylaidus emphasized his point by accelerating even more, the very space around him distorting violently from the huge pulses of energy released. Fergusson realized he could no longer keep up and pushed on the breaks, slowing down to a normal speed. He looked ahead in awe, at his rapidly vanishing enemy. From that angle, it looked as if the very form of his monsters, which were following him at that unfathomable speed, was distorting, forming...

"I tune the Level 5, Synchro monster, Power Gladiator, to the Level 5, Synchro Tuner, Wonder Magician. Accel Synchro!!" The echo of those words hit Fergusson with the force of the raging wind, as Ylaidus -

"...disappeared?" Fergusson muttered, staring in awe at the afterimage of his opponent and his D-Wheel, vanished from sight into an array of five gigantic, green circles that were shimmering away -

Wind swept past him. His eyes opened wide. He had seen Ylaidus speed ahead, into the faraway distance of the Road to Tomorrow. Then... how had he turned up behind him? And... what was that monster that flew next to him, as he dashed past Fergusson, maintaining that insane velocity?

"Tech Genus Blade Gunner." Ylaidus pointed at the robotic supersoldier in gold and green armor, wielding a gun that seemed to double as an energy sword. "The evolution of Synchro monsters that lies beyond the boundary of speed - that is Accel Synchro. That is my strongest weapon, and the wall you will not be able to break."

[spoiler=Tech Genus Blade Gunner]Tech Genus Blade Gunner
EARTH / Machine / Synchro
Level 10
3300/2200
1 Tuner Synchro Monster + 1 or more non-Tuner Synchro Monsters
When an opponent's Spell/Trap Card is activated that targets this card, you can send 1 card from your hand to the Graveyard to negate the effect. Once per opponent's turn, you can remove from play 1 "Tech Genus" monster from your Graveyard to remove this face-up card on the field from play. During the next Standby Phase, Special Summon this card, if removed by this effect.[/spoiler]

---

Time left: 0:42:53

Everyone felt the enormous ripple in spacetime that burst forth from the Accel Synchro Summon. Christina, who had barely finished her duel against Abraham Lee, felt it. Yenma, one floor above, felt it. Kiishiro, Yuko, Sugita and Takechi, in the lower floors of the Aria Tower, felt it. Maya and Yuusuke, far into the depths of the labyrinth that lay underneath the Vision Cathedral, felt it more intensely, and the pitch-black space surrounding them began to crack. Dunkan, safeguarding the door to the Nexus portal, felt it. ZONE, who had just began the transportation of the Arc Cradle to the Aria Tower area, felt it. And most importantly, the man named Miyataka Eizan, inside his own personal realm, felt it, and grinned, because one more element had fallen into place, and everything was progressing exactly as they were meant to.

Project REVOLT had been his creation from the beginning. From the moment he learned the specifics of the method Dunkan and the others were going to use to access the Nexus, he immediately saw an opportunity. First, he needed an enormous amount of energy. This was what the Crimson Sanctum had been. He now stood on the ruins of what used to be the area where all the excess energy from the Aria Tower and the rest of the virtual world gathered. Second, he needed a way to manipulate and control that energy. The idea of a spiral-like structure had been inspired from the Momentum he had discovered and researched. This was the Road to Tomorrow - an infinitely long pathway where the energy assembled would endlessly loop, controlled, and ready to be used. Third, he needed allies to help him construct these things. Those had been the Fergusson brothers.

But, that had been only the first step. He knew from the start that, no matter how much energy he gathered, he needed an additional catalyst to reach the Nexus. A huge burst of chaos to breach into the Original Sin, the 'entry' point of the Nexus. No matter what, this was something that was impossible in the current situation. He manipulated Thomas Fergusson into discovering his true identity, in order to gain his trust, then revealed a part of the truth to him. Thomas had sacrificed his life to destroy the Crimson Sanctum and seal off the Road to Tomorrow, effectively ending the project. But this had gone just as he intended. He had needed the Sanctum to be separated from the Road, in order to serve his purposes. And as he had anticipated, young Adam Fergusson had taken care of the rest, managing to rebuild the Road into a self-sufficient pathway. Accel Synchro would provide the burst of chaos needed to breach into the Nexus. And when the time was correct... from the Crimson Sanctum, rebuilt in secret to accommodate its new purpose, he would initiate the final phase of the plan he set in motion all those years ago.

He turned his attention to the lifeless husk next to him. He had channeled Nakahara Inoue's God Mode power into a subspace, a trap to delay the two teenagers from reaching him. Their time had not come just yet. The ripple from the Accel Synchro had torn through the subspace now, though, and it was still too early. He should send that thing to keep them busy for a while. With a thought, he gave it the appropriate orders.

Retreating back to the inside of the Sanctum, ignoring the stormy red skies overhead, he began his final preparations.

---

The eighth floor of the Aria Tower was vastly different than the floor they had been in before, and, Yenma expected, than the other floors as well. It was, after all, the floor directly underneath the ninth and final stage, where Dunkan and the portal to the Nexus were located. It stood to reason that it would be heavily protected. Not for the first time, Yenma wished some of his allies were there with him.

Something had happened. A huge ripple had shaken the entire tower. It was not a violent quake like before, but a subtle, yet significant shift. He had no idea what had caused it or what it might cause. However, since then, the attacks on him had doubled in intensity and number.

The things that assaulted him were neither human nor Duel Monsters. Shades, phantoms of no material substance. They would appear suddenly, rush through him, and vanish quickly afterwards. They did no real damage that he could tell, but he felt physically and mentally drained afterwards - not to mention assaulted with overwhelming dread. The first attack had left him paralyzed for almost two minutes. Now he had taken to dodging them, or using the power of his monsters to dissipate them before they could reach him.

A number of these shades converged into one spot, taking in a more definitive form of a pitch-black figure, armed with a giant spectral axe. Without thinking, Yenma called on the power of his monster. A giant black bird appeared, flapping its wings wildly - the phantoms drew back and scattered uselessly. Dark Simurgh. His mind fluttered back to when he had acquired it. It wasn't so long ago, but somehow, it felt like ages had passed. No, the entirety of his life one week ago felt so far in the distant past, it might as well have been someone else's. Absent-mindedly, he rubbed the mark on his arm. It had stopped pulsing with that excruciating pain. He felt Christina's emotions through the sign - she was a lot calmer now, and seemed to be finished with her duel. By the feel of it, she was fine - relieved, Yenma pressed on. But as he did, more and more shadows attacked.

"Damnit!" He growled, frustrated. Simurgh groaned, its powers stretched to their limits. "Is there no end to these things? They must have a source somewhere!" But whether they did or not, or how to find it, was something he had no clue about. In the end, he was just wandering around blindly.

More phantasms attacked suddenly, appearing out of nowhere. Dark Simurgh let out a warning cry, but it was too late. Three of them passed straight through Yenma's body. The boy's eyes bulged. Frozen cold and boiling heat surged through him. It felt like acid was running through his veins. Coughing, he dropped to his knees. He didn't have the energy to summon another monster, or even move. The shadows whirled around, preparing for a second - and likely final - attack.

The wing-shaped mark on his arms blazed crimson. A great shadow was cast over his vision. Overhead, the great Blackfeather Dragon had materialized on its own, positioning its body to intercept the incoming phantoms. The shades passed through the Signer dragon's body. Blackfeather Dragon roared, and the blade-like feathers on its wings began blazing crimson. It turned around and reared its head, releasing a wide spiralling crimson breath that extinguished the dark shapes.

Because Yenma was too exhausted to stand, he just stayed there, watching the afterimage of Blackfeather Dragon's breath attack. His strained mind fluttered away. It was probably... Monday, now. He'd be sleeping right now, probably. His body was, to be fair - lying unconscious somewhere, at home, in a hospital bed... he didn't know. He thought it was ironic how, with the situation as bad as ZONE had described out there in the real world, they could easily find themselves fighting the final battle... and dying because something just destroyed their bodies out there. It was a terrible irony. Diverting his thoughts from the possibility, he sought solace in thinking about what his routine would be. Wake up early, go to school... there'd be a couple of chores after that... he'd have had to go to the flower store and buy some fresh soil, his mother had said last week she intended to move her Grevilleas to different pots... she maintained a vast collection of those beautiful flowers, with elegant blossoms twisting into smooth spirals...

For some reason, even though his thoughts were blurry, Yenma could visualize the flowers to an amazing detail. Probably because he had spent so much time over the years to help nurture them. Probably... Blackfeather Dragon and Dark Simurgh had vanished, and it seemed they had earned him a temporary reprieve from attacks. His eyes still traced the line his dragon's attack had carved in the air. That had been a spiral, too, just like the flowers. He remembered reading something or other about an old story, where spiral shapes hypnotized the denizens of an entire town and caused a massive disaster... but that was simply a folk tale, there was no way it was real. Wait, why was he thinking about spirals now? He frowned, trying to focus. It was hard, through the still-lingering intense headache. But... there had been something odd about the path they had traced with Christina. They had decided to follow a certain direction, straying as little as was possible, and it had led them not through a straight path, not exactly in a circle, but... his eyes widened. Spiral! The seventh floor had a spiral corridor leading to its center, where the staircase lay! This was the 'key' to progressing in the Aria Tower! Reinvogorated, Yenma began drawing out in his mind the path he had followed. If the floors were concentric, taking into consideration the direction of the staircase he had climbed... with this, he could figure out a way to the center!

With a direction set in mind, it was much easier to stay on the move and avoid the errant attacks. Setting a couple of monsters to aid him - Speed Warrior was fast enough to deal with most threats and keep up, while Shield Wing floated behind him, defending him against surprise shots - he pushed forward, and quickly found himself on the path he had expected. Following the loosely, but surely spiralling corridor, his heart began beating faster. He noticed Christina was now on this floor as well - he decided to find the stairs to the final level, and wait for her there, since she could track down his location easily. He hoped she wasn't running into too much trouble with the shades - the blinking dot indicated she was progressing steadily, following his general direction, so she should be alright. There was no time to waste, though.

He didn't know and didn't dare verify how much time passed. But soon enough, he arrived, panting, at what should be the center of the spiral - bursting through a prominent archway, he -

A loud noise caused him to instantly glance back, without even taking in his surroundings. Where the open space underneath the arch he had just crossed had been, a dense blue energy field had been activated, preventing escape. At the same time...

"So, a little fish has been caught in the net."

A sweet, female voice from somewhere beside him. He sought the owner - he quickly identified the woman casually sitting cross-legged on top of one of the many stone pillars scattered around the chamber - which was so large that Yenma could barely make out the far walls - as Lynette Rayleigh. He had never personally met her, of course, but Aizawa Yuusuke had informed them about her... right now, though, she was the least of his concerns.

"Oh my god..."

Directly opposite to him, several hundred meters ahead, lay, presumably, the exit he was looking for. However, blocking it from view and access, was...
[/spoiler]

 

[spoiler=Read after the chapter]So yeah I changed Wonder Magician and Power Gladiator to full generic, instead of requiring a Tech Genus non-Tuner.[/spoiler]

[Canopy Star - Eon Sphere]

Thanks for replying to my comment in full. You answered my questions and I think that my main query - the purpose of the Nexus and Dunkan's motivation -  was mainly due to not remembering what had been previously established. Since this chapter it seems that a lot more has been answered.

 

Speaking of which, the duel was well done, as always. It's nice to see a power gap being reasonably obvious without the bad guy wrecking the good guy in one move. Yladius' new cards are interesting, as people commenting have predicted them for various characters, so it's nice to see them actually appear. I imagine they weren't even out when this fic started, and while I assume you aren't going to use Xyz, will you be using newer cards for older archetypes (cough Lightsworn cough), or new Synchro monsters like the ones in Judgement of the Light and other recent packs?

 

One tiny quibble: Life-Risking Treasure Cards (Card of Sacrifice) states that you cannot Summon the turn you use it. I wouldn't mind if you removed that part for the sake of drama, but it doesn't help if that restriction is included in the card description within the fic.

 

Apart from that, keep up the good work!

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

Ferguson might be a jerk, but he gets some good lines :D

 

This really benefitted from the new Extra Chapter to draw the similarities with and the power gap.

 

Also really apprecitated the connection between Yladius and his Gladiator Beasts more this time, as well as his naming. I know he said it exactly himself and I'd read it before, I must have sped-read over it last time.

 

Lokking forward to the conclusion.

[Vector Nightmare]

Speaking of which, the duel was well done, as always. It's nice to see a power gap being reasonably obvious without the bad guy wrecking the good guy in one move. Yladius' new cards are interesting, as people commenting have predicted them for various characters, so it's nice to see them actually appear. I imagine they weren't even out when this fic started, and while I assume you aren't going to use Xyz, will you be using newer cards for older archetypes (cough Lightsworn cough), or new Synchro monsters like the ones in Judgement of the Light and other recent packs?

 

I've considered it in some places, but nah. generally I'm sticking to the card pool that was available more-or-less when I started, namely up to and including Extreme Victory, nothing from the Zexal era onwards, for several reasons.

 

One tiny quibble: Life-Risking Treasure Cards (Card of Sacrifice) states that you cannot Summon the turn you use it. I wouldn't mind if you removed that part for the sake of drama, but it doesn't help if that restriction is included in the card description within the fic.

 

Ouch, thanks for pointing this out. It was a major oversight on my part that resulted from me copy-pasting the card from another situation without double-checking. Unfortunately it'd be a pain to fix as it would require quite a bit of moving things around and possibly another turn, so I'll leave it as is. But I will note it in the card description in the chapter.

 

Ferguson might be a jerk, but he gets some good lines :D

 

Look forward for some moar good lines this chapter.

 

This really benefitted from the new Extra Chapter to draw the similarities with and the power gap.

 

Glad to know that went down well. You've read the original set of chapters (69 and 70) and overall it was probably the one I was least satisfied with, so I'm happy that the new version is doing well so far, let's see if it continues doing so.

 

Also really apprecitated the connection between Yladius and his Gladiator Beasts more this time, as well as his naming. I know he said it exactly himself and I'd read it before, I must have sped-read over it last time.

 

Lokking forward to the conclusion.

 

Look forward no more, for the new chapter has arrived.

 

[spoiler=Chapter 70]

Chapter 70: Over Limit

"What... is going on? What is that thing?"

"Hey, hey. Are you kidding me? Just because I haven't attacked you yet, does that automatically make me miss exposition? Why does everyone keep forgetting whose side I'm on?" She pretended to pout, flicking a strand of her blonde hair to the side, but Yenma knew she was toying with him. He gritted his teeth. But right now, there was a bigger problem.

Ahead of them, on the other side of the room, towered a... creature, a demon, so tall that it almost touched the ceiling. Even from that distance Yenma could clearly make out its wicked features. It had a humanoid form, but its skin was comprised of blue scales, forming a dragon-like armor around sickly brown flesh. Its head was encased in a three-horned helmet-shaped structure. Broad wings spread out from its sides, and hands with giant sharped claws hung by its sides. It was surrounded by a terrible purple aura. What mostly terrified Yenma though, wasn't the demon itself. Rather, near its feet, chained to it with pitch-black chains, there were... he couldn't see anything more than vague shapes from this distance, but the moans and screams of agony were all too human.

"Stop joking around..." He growled. "This... what the hell is this?"

"...well, it's not like it will make any difference, so I might as well give you the gist." Lynette sighed. "The monster's name is King of the Phantom Demons, Raviel. ZONE has explained the basics of the Pylon system, no?" She did not wait for his response. "Raviel was originally part of one of the three Pylons... however, recently, some naughty little meddler disrupted that Pylon by removing one of its points. With just two phantasms powering it up, it was too unstable. Thankfully, the Pylon we crafted hastily to replace the one that we lost in the beginning is powerful enough. So, as soon as it wasn't needed, the incomplete Pylon was removed - at this point, the Nexus should be able to stay under control even with just a single active Pylon. But it was too wasteful to let such a powerful monster go unused. So, the defense system of this eighth floor was designed around it... Raviel is responsible for generating and controlling all the shades that guard this floor. Of course, such a powerful phantasm can't be maintained without an appropriate energy source. That's what those humans are doing - rather unwillingly, they are giving their life energy so that Raviel can sustain its form."

"Then if I destroy Raviel, they will be freed and the way to the next floor will be open." Yenma snarled. He dashed forward, arming his duel disk. He'd need to bring forth all his power against that thing. As he drew closer, he saw the faces of the humans writhing in agony, contorted faces and eyes pleading for release. This was too cruel. Screaming out in rage, Yenma slapped five cards on his Duel Disk. "Blackfeather Dragon! Dark Simurgh! Deathcaliber Knight! Speed Warrior! Mist Valley Soldier!" Instantly, the huge black-winged beast, the shadow-bound divine bird, the undead knight, the small silver-armored warrior and the winged soldier appeared in front of him. He dropped on his knees, heaving. He had never attempted to summon so many monsters at once with his own energy. But, it was worth it. "Attack!!"

Blackfeather Dragon unleashed its spiralling breath. Dark Simurgh called forth an unearthly dark gale that swept everything in its path. The three warriors charged forward, leaping up to Raviel's chest height - Deathcaliber Knight, jumping off its mount for further momentum slashed with its blade, Speed Warrior delivered a powerful roundhouse kick, and Mist Valley Soldier stabbed the demon with its daggers.

Yenma watched, mouth hanging open, as all five attacks went straight through Raviel's body, not causing the slightest bit of harm. With his energy drained, all of his monsters vanished. "Wh - what..."

"You shouldn't be so surprised, boy." Lynette, who had somehow gotten all the way next to him without breaking a sweat, said coolly. "Don't you understand what 'Phantom' means? Raviel's body right now is merely a projected image of its wicked soul. You cannot touch or damage it physically - well, not unless it chooses to materialize it, and it's just as well that it doesn't, because that would be a quick death for you, I think. Of course, that doesn't mean Raviel is invincible. Like I said... a huge energy source is needed to maintain its presence. So, these." She pointed at the humans lying at Raviel's feet. "Kill them, and the energy flow will stop. Raviel will most certainly counterattack then, but if you can survive for a while, the demon should disappear, and the path will be open."

"Wh - stop saying absurd things!" Yenma cried out. "You can't expect me to kill these people!" Lynette shrugged.

"I don't expect you to do anything. I'm just explaining the situation to you. Of course, I probably don't have to say this, but these have not been turned into Cataphracts. They are fully conscious, and they will remain so until the very end."

"No way... do I really... have to..." Yenma closed his eyes. It had been different against the Cataphracts, who had been actively fighting against them, mind-controlled drones fulfilling their dark orders. That had been hard enough... but to kill helpless, conscious people... no doubt, this scenario had been anticipated by Dunkan, who must have set this trap for them. But Yenma didn't have a choice. He couldn't just sit here and wait until his time - everyone's time - was up.

"Can't I break the chains?" He asked desperately. "Or... if Raviel is immaterial and won't attack, can't I go through him?"

"Why don't you try." Lynette said indifferently. "If you are confident that such obvious solutions have been overlooked..."

Attacking the chains seemed a little risky, so Yenma decided to go for the second strategy first. Steeling his resolve, he began to run, closing in on the terrible giant...

"No, don't!!" The screech of a woman who was lying on the ground, bound by chain that had pierced her abdomen, snapped Yenma's attention. She was holding out her hand pleadingly, choking on blood. The sight was nauseating - but Yenma realized what she was trying to warn him about a moment before it was too late. The twenty or so chains that had gruesomely pierced and imprisoned the people there weren't the only ones hanging from Raviel's body. There were more, and Yenma had been only inches away from positioning himself in one's range, which was coiled like a snake and ready to snap. Yenma looked around, bewildered - because of the shape of the wall, there was no way he could get any closer without being snatched by the chains. He immediately discarded summoning monsters to cover his advance - there were just too many chains, and his energy was running low. The only thing to try was -

"Deathcaliber Knight!" He summoned the dark rider again. "Cut down that chain!" The knight charged. But the moment his sword met the black chain, he cried out in pain as a black shock of electricity run through his body, obliterating him instantly. Yenma screamed as the same shock shot through him, forcefully knocking him to the ground. He tried to stand up, but all of his muscles were numb.

"A shame, it looks like your plan didn't work out." Lynette was standing next to him, arms crossed, observing the phantom demon.

"Well do you have any better ideas?" Yenma snarled, finally managing to push himself up. The woman looked at him, surprised.

"Me? Once more, you forget whose side I'm actually on. Furthermore, if I'm not mistaken, I've already told you the logical approach to this problem."

"How can you still talk like that?!" He yelled desperately. "These people in front of you are suffering! They're dying!"

"Yes, they are." Lynette turned to look at him, and Yenma felt cold dread run down his spine. The eyes that were looking at him were frozen, not a trace of compassion or humanity in them. He suddenly realized that the woman in front of him was responsible for the deaths of hundreds, maybe thousands of people. "You're on your own, young man. You came here expecting to meet, hoping to overcome, all sorts of hurdles, on your own power. And now that you find an obstacle, you ask the first person you lay eyes on for help? If you can't cope with the situation, you should just give up and stand aside. If you are the type of person who can only rely on others, there's no point in even trying."

Yenma gritted his teeth. It hurt - but he knew, deep down, that what Lynette was saying was correct. Out of everyone gathered here, he was the closest to Dunkan and the portal. The others were relying on him. If he couldn't do at least this much...

But, was the only answer truly, to murder those helpless, innocent people?

---

"Looks like we have our way out." Maya and Yuusuke had no way to know what had caused the ripple that had torn apart the subspace they had been apparently trapped in, but either way, they were grateful enough that they had managed to escape without having to resort to drastic measures. Now... "What... is this place?"

The sky overhead was crimson, laced with streaks of golden lightning. The air felt stifling, as if a storm was brewing. It was hard to say when such things started being observed in the virtual world. The pair was standing on the edge of a massive courtyard, decorated with nothing but plain stone. In the middle was a building, made of shining crimson metal that reflected the color of the sky onto the stone-paved ground, which looked as if it was drenched in blood. But both the building, built in a regal, medieval-themed architecture, and the court were in shambles. The roof was largely destroyed, and the walls were cracked and shattered. There had been many areas with ruins in the virtual world, but all of those had been meticulously designed to be as appealing as possible. This one seemed to have earnestly fallen victim to some catastrophe. Checking their indicators, they verified that this region was called the Crimson Sanctum. They had never heard of it before. But if this was where Eizan was hiding, then there was only one place he could be - that was, the temple-like structure itself. Purposefully, they strode forward.

"...somehow, I feel disappointed. I was expecting Eizan to have prepared quite a festive reception for us..." Yuusuke commented. His words, seemingly off-hand, did trouble Maya. He's right, it's too quiet... it reeks of a trap. But, we can't wait here any longer...

"Let's go." She said firmly. Yuusuke nodded, and they began making their way to the building, surprisingly unobstructed. They pushed the doors open with little effort, and stepped into the darkness beyond, not aware of the danger they had just been spared from.

---

...well, this sucks.  Fergusson gazed at the monster, that Ylaidus had called an Accel Synchro. Because it had caught him completely by surprise, he was now in a precarious situation. Giganoto wasn't strong enough to destroy it, and none of the cards he had drawn could help in that regard right now. But thankfully, they could at least hold the enemy off for a while. "I set two cards face-down. Turn end."

Turn 9 - Ylaidus

Ylaidus - SPC: 8
Firesoul - SPC: 8

Once again, Ylaidus took his time examining his options, leaving his opponent literally sweating - it was annoying how realistic this world had become. "I activate the effect of Speed World 2." He announced finally, causing Fergusson to grimace - if the wrong thing happened now...

"...by removing seven Speed Counters, I can draw once." Fergusson breathed again. By some stroke of luck, Ylaidus wasn't drawing into Speed Spells that he could use to burn the rest of his Life Points out with.

Ylaidus - SPC: 1
Firesoul - SPC: 8

"Tech Genus Blade Gunner attacks Jurak Giganoto." The warrior moved impossibly fast. In an instant, it was in front of Fergusson's D-Wheel, prepared to strike the lethal blow. However...

"Trap card, Threatening Roar!" Fergusson used another copy of his battle phase-stopping card just in the nick of time, and even the mighty Accel Synchro monster was forced to retreat before the booming shockwaves.

"I summon Gladial Beast Retiari in Defense Position." The crocodile gladiator appeared again, running beside him while keeping its face and torso protected with its small arms. A trap? "Turn end." No... he's baiting me.

Turn 10 - Firesoul

Ylaidus - SPC: 2
Firesoul - SPC: 9

"Draw!!" He declared emphatically. Well well, what do we have here? His deck had decided to cooperate for once, and provide a welcome out to this situation. "I set a card, and activate Speed Spell - High Speed Crash! With this, one card on either side of the field is destroyed! I target the card I just set, and Tech Genus Blade Gunner!"

[spoiler=Speed Spell - High Speed Crash]Speed Spell - High Speed Crash
SPELL / Normal
Activate only while you have 2 or more Speed Counters. Destroy 1 card you control and 1 other card on the field.[/spoiler]

"Not enough." Ylaidus muttered under his breath. "I activate the effect of Blade Gunner. By discarding a card from my hand, the effect of a card that would target this monster is negated." Fergusson recoiled as Blade Gunner shot a bolt of energy from its weapon, ripping straight through his attempt at a spell. I should've known... At least, the entire effect was negated, which meant that the card he had set was intact. Additionally, he was now aware of Blade Gunner's defensive effect, which meant he would not waste his Speed Counters next turn to attempt to destroy it.

"I activate the effect of Speed World 2, removing seven Speed Counters to draw." The sudden deceleration brought him side-by-side with his opponent, who had fallen behind during his last turn. Despite himself, he sought Ylaidus' eyes, trying in vain to find some form of empathy left in them. Something beyond the emptiness, and betrayal. But he was met only with cold, hard silence.

"Jurak Giganoto, strike down Retiari!" He snarled. The dinosaur marched forward obediently, trampling the smaller gladiator underneath its burning hooves. You're not the only one who can leave bait. "I summon Jurak Monolov in Defense, and set one card." He emptied his hand again, and the skull-headed dinosaur appeared next to its kin. It would have to be enough.

[spoiler=Jurak Monolov]Jurak Monolov
FIRE / Dinosaur / Tuner
Level 3
1500/1200
This card can attack all monsters your opponent controls once each.[/spoiler]

Turn 11 - Ylaidus

Ylaidus - SPC: 3
Firesoul - SPC: 3

They rode onwards with silence for a few long moments. The Road to Tomorrow blazed along as they drove to the limit of their engines, challenging them with its infinite length. Fergusson's teeth were clamped in anticipation. He was safe from Speed World 2's burn effect for one turn, but... something had changed. He could feel it in the way the ever-spinning patterns of colors that formed the 'ground' and 'walls' of the battlefield changed ever-so-slightly, as if the light itself was bending before an unyielding, unbreakable will.

"So we've reached, once again, the final stretch." Ylaidus said finally. "The end of the path that was carved before us... a path that cannot lead to freedom, salvation, or damnation. A path that simply ends."

"What are you getting at?" Fergusson growled, despite himself.

"...as I already told you, I was originally Miyataka Eizan's virtual persona. I was the 'avatar', the fake sense of 'self' he created, to wander this virtual world. However, immediately after I was born this way, I was severed from him, separated from what was, even for an instant, a part of myself. From the very moment I was 'born', I was merely a spectre, a wraith. A damaged being that can only wander through an empty world. I never had any memories from the time before I was 'Ylaidus'. And yet despite this, I did not meet my other self's expectations. I could not function autonomously. Even though I was created as the 'perfect duplicate', a clone that would allow Miyataka Eizan to transcend the boundaries of life and death, I could not fulfill that purpose. From the beginning to the end, my existence is only a failed experiment."

Fergusson remained silent, refusing to acknowledge his enemy's monologue. Ylaidus didn't seem to care either way. "Even if it was a wretched life, even if I was a pawn of no consequence... I learned a few things that were valuable enough to keep, that even my sundered soul refused to discard. Trifles, perhaps, shadows of a thing I never was... but right now, they are all I possess. So, in this turn, let me show you...

"...the pride of the 'strongest duelist' that still exists inside this empty soul."

Fergusson recoiled instinctively. The spirit that suddenly surged through Ylaidus was like... nothing he had ever experienced before. He could almost feel an aura around him, simply - an immensely powerful projected desire to win.

"Draw!!" Ylaidus' hand burned with a pitch-black flame as he snatched the card out of his deck. Immediately, he turned it around to demonstrate it. Fergusson's heart sank. Speed Spell - The End of Storm. The message was clear. There was only one chance left - if Fergusson allowed the game to reach Ylaidus' next turn, everything would be settled. But no sooner had Ylaidus placed that card in his D-Wheel's hand holster, than he reached for the second one that was already resting there.

"I summon Attack Gainer." He stated. His second copy of the red-haired Tuner monster appeared next to him. Another Tuner? Just what -

"I activate the effect of Level Stealer in my Graveyard, that was sent there to pay the cost of Blade Gunner last turn. By reducing the Level of Blade Gunner by one, it can be Special Summoned." Black lightning surrounded the large cybernetic warrior, flowing into a spot next to it where a tiny black ladybug materialized.

[spoiler=Level Stealer]Level Stealer
DARK / Insect
Level 1
800/0
If this card is in the Graveyard: You can target 1 face-up Level 5 or higher monster you control; reduce its Level by 1, and if you do, Special Summon this card from the Graveyard. This card cannot be Tributed except for a Tribute Summon.[/spoiler]

"And now I tune... the Level 1, Level Stealer, to the Level 1, Attack Gainer!"

"A Level 2 Synchro Summon?!" Fergusson exclaimed. Low level Synchro monster were certainly possible but Level 2, the theoretically absolute minimum... did such a monster really exist? But through the single ring and star that converged, a monster did indeed appear, a tiny robotic flying insect, thread-thin wings rapidly rotating around its small body.

"Tech Genus Recipro Dragonfly." Ylaidus explained. "Attack Gainer's effect kicks in, reducing Giganoto's attack by 1000 points." The dinosaur growled and thrashed, as its attack power sank to 1700. "And with Dragonfly's effect, I can send a Tech Genus Synchro monster to the Graveyard, and Special Summon its original summoning materials from the Graveyard - as long as those materials are Synchro monsters themselves. I release Blade Gunner!" The supersoldier vanished, and in its place, the Power Gladiator and Wonder Magician that had been previously used to Accel Synchro Summon it reappeared on his field.

[spoiler=Tech Genus Recipro Dragonfly]Tech Genus Recipro Dragonfly
WIND / Insect / Synchro
Level 2
300/300
1 Tuner + 1 non-Tuner monster
Once per turn, you can send 1 other "Tech Genus" Synchro Monster you control to the Graveyard. Then, if all of the Synchro Monsters that were used for the Synchro Summon of that monster are in your Graveyard, you can Special Summon them.[/spoiler]

He has three monsters now... Fergusson frowned. But they are all weaker than Giganoto... he was better off with Blade Gunner...

Unless...

"And now I will show you." Ylaidus declared. "That which exists even beyond the infinite horizon of speed... to go over the limit once more, cross the boundary one, final time... this is the true form of Accel Synchro!" Again, his D-Wheel exploded in a burst of acceleration, going beyond what should be logically possible. "Let's go! I tune the Level 5, Synchro monster, Power Gladiator, and the Level 2, Synchro monster, Recipro Dragonfly, to the Level 5, Synchro Tuner, Wonder Magician!!" It was not even comparable to before. Ylaidus disappeared in an instant, releasing such a shockwave behind him that Fergusson had to struggle hard to stay on the road. In awe, he heard the final words -

"DELTA ACCEL!!"

And then he was behind him again, still travelling at that unreal velocity, with another impossible monster next to him... a giant in armor of pitch-black and gold, brandishing a lance almost as long as the creature was tall. A further evolution of Synchro Summon... a Level 12 monster summoned using a Synchro Tuner and two Synchro monsters as materials.

[spoiler=Tech Genus Halberd Cannon]Tech Genus Halberd Cannon
EARTH / Machine / Synchro
Level 12
4000/4000
1 Tuner Synchro Monster + 2 or more non-Tuner Synchro Monsters
This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Synchro Summon. Once per turn, while this card is face-up on the field, you can negate the Summon of a monster and destroy it. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, you can select 1 "Tech Genus" monster in your Graveyard, and Special Summon it.[/spoiler]

The entire world shook and pulsed. The 'walls' of the Road began crumbling into multi-colored shards, revealing the black infinity beyond. Space began distorting, warping, and black holes opened right in front of them, so many that they had to swerve around dangerously to avoid them. Fergusson barely noticed all this, instinctively maneuvering his D-Wheel to avoid the lethal obstacles.

Just what... is this monster? Just what... is this guy? Could someone that calls himself a shadow... really wield that much power?

"Let's go." Ylaidus said coolly, unfazed by the destruction of the incorporeal field around them. "To the end of our paths that crossed here..."

---

They all felt it, again and again, shaking the entire tower to its foundations. The continuous, vibrating pulse that had begun ever since Accel Synchro had been used was now a violent storm that threatened to destroy the whole of reality. Like before, only three people recognized its origin, even though all felt it quite clearly. Gregory Dunkan, who was standing at the pinnacle of the Aria Tower, ready to initiate the last phase of his plan - a plan that could very easily be disrupted now, at the very end of the road, by this outside interference. Miyataka Eizan, deep within the Crimson Sanctum, busy with his own devices - he scowled, as the sudden influx of energy was not something he had desired. But he knew better than to try and control the deep flows of chaos.

And ZONE.

"...finally, here... not a moment too early, either."

Time left: 0:29:56

Over the peak of the Aria Tower, a pillar of white energy connected the portal to the Nexus, which was still far away. To the side, in the middle of the sky, a massive hole opened. And from within, the cross-dimensional fortress Arc Cradle materialized. It had been difficult to arrange this, since Dunkan had cleverly moved the Aria Tower from its original position, but somehow, ZONE had managed. And now it was time to bring the war under control.

ZONE was situated alone in the main control room, floating on his unicycle. The ripples he had felt while he was travelling here... the destructive vortex that was ripping the world asunder now... Accel Synchro, and then, Delta Accel. He didn't know who had initiated those highly volatile, destructive forms of Synchro Summoning. Old memories resurfaced, memories of the world he came from, of what haphazard use of those methods had caused. Of what he had caused. This battle defied all expectations - at this rate, the world could easily find itself destroyed before Dunkan actually reached the Nexus.

He called forth eight different projector screens, one for each of the Signers, Maya and Yuusuke, and the three allies he had managed to gather in that short period of time. He immediately programmed each screen to connect to one of the people in the Tower. Immediately, four lit up.

On the first screen, Christina appeared, followed by Sugita, Takechi and Yuko. The remaining four remained black. Each of them was in different surroundings, and all of their faces expressed a mixture of relief, anxiety and exhaustion. This conference would connect them not only to ZONE, but to each other as well.

"I have moved the Arc Cradle to the Aria Tower." ZONE said briskly. "I should be able to help you now. What is the situation inside? I can't get through to the other four."

"We got separated when we tried to breach into the tower." Sugita was the first to speak. "We can keep track of each other via the holographic locator. We've already encountered the enemy's vanguard. Jinrei Yenma has broken into the eighth floor."

"Yenma should be alright, I hope... we were together in the seventh floor, but he went on alone. I..." Christina muttered worriedly.

"Kiishiro is still in the first floor." Yuko said. "He's been moving around since he first landed there, but he hasn't engaged in a duel as far as we can tell, and he hasn't moved upwards."

"And Maya and Yuusuke... rather than enter the Aria Tower, they remained in the Vision Cathedral..." Sugita said skeptically. "It seems... they intended to hunt down that person, Miyataka Eizan..."

ZONE remained quiet for a moment, contemplating this information. There was little he could do for Yuusuke and Maya - they were drawing their own path. Kiishiro... he could have fallen into some sort of trap. But he was still at the first floor - he couldn't afford to spend too much time to aid him. The central piece was Yenma. He was currently the closest one to the portal. ZONE had no idea if Jinrei Yenma was capable of taking on Dunkan by himself... but the same could be said for any of the children he had gathered. Right now, he could do nothing but hope.

"I'm making my way towards his location now." Christina said. She sounded weary. "But these things keep attacking me... I'm already close to my limit." In the corner of her screen, ZONE saw a pair of black shades approach her. Christina began running away from them, and the connection wavered and closed.

"It would be good for you to regroup, if possible..." ZONE muttered. "Sugita, Takechi. I've already begun analyzing the structure of the Aria Tower. Gather your energy - in a few minutes, I'll be able to transmit a detailed map of the Tower to you. You can use it to navigate your way to the top floors, and help Christina and Yenma. Yuko, if possible, I want you to try and find Kiishiro."

"I'm working on that." Yuko said.

"However..." Takechi said warily. "Just now... what is this those enormous energy pulse? It feels like we're about to get ripped to shreds by its sheer force any moment now. ZONE, do you know what happened?"

ZONE hesitated. "I know. More or less, anyway. Listen, right now, Dunkan and his portal isn't the only enemy to contend with. There are other factors, other variables. Someone... probably Miyataka Eizan... is pushing for an alternate way to reach the Nexus. I'm not sure what his method is, or how to stop him. But hopefully Maya and Yuusuke can handle that front. For now, you need to concentrate on your own tasks. We have less than 30 minutes to breach into the top floor and seize control of the portal - otherwise, it may be far too late."

"Understood." The three teenagers said seriously. ZONE closed the connections - any of them could now reach him if the need arose, thus they now had a way to communicate with each other - and went back to his preparations. As he glanced at the arm that was located inside the glass case... he thought he saw the remains of the old mark glowing, ever so slightly.

---

"Ancient Fairy, erase them!" Christina's voice came out strained, almost choking on exhaustion. Her duel had drained most of her stamina, and having to deal with this endless tide of black shadow monsters that kept attacking her... the continuous rattling waves of energy did not help, either. However, she had to persevere. She was close now, very close to the place where Yenma had been in for a while. She didn't know what was keeping him there or why ZONE hadn't been able to establish contact with him, but she was worried.

Don't overdo it. Dryad warned inside her mind. You can already tell that the Signer boy is still alive, and unharmed. Be worried about your own safety first.

Dryad was right. She forced herself to calm down and breathe. She glanced at the map that ZONE had sent her. She could clearly see the spiralling shape of the central corridor, mingled as it was with several other side paths and rooms. The place where Yenma was in was in the exact center... no doubt, that was where he had assumed the entry to the next floor would be... he had probably fallen into some sort of trap there. But...

"Something's off." She muttered. "Something about this... doesn't feel right." However much her instincts warned her, though, she couldn't find any reasonable explanation for her bad premonition. She shrugged - it was probably the pressure getting to her.

"Let's go." She said finally. First things first - she had to meet up with Yenma.

---

"Tech Genus Halberd Cannon. Attack Jurak Giganoto, and finish this!"

Ylaidus' command resounded through the shattering road. The giant monster heeded this order, turning to face Fergusson, its metallic armor shining black under the iridescent twilight. It raised its lance, taking aim. Fergusson desperately reached for his Trap card, as he felt the last chance slipping through his fingers.

"Guard Block!" He shouted. "Battle damage becomes zero, and I draw one card!" Giganoto exploded as it was speared through by the gigantic halberd, the force of the blast causing Fergusson to lean dangerously to the right, almost falling beyond the crumbling wall and into the endless void. With shaky fingers, he withdrew one card - but his best chance at victory had now disappeared.

[spoiler=Guard Block]Guard Block
TRAP / Normal
Activate only during damage calculation during your opponent's turn. The Battle Damage you would receive becomes 0. Draw 1 card.[/spoiler]

"..." Wordlessly, Ylaidus signalled the end of his turn, and Halberd Cannon retreated to his side. Fergusson managed to steer his D-Wheel to the center of the road. He had survived this turn somehow, but...

Turn 12 - Firesoul

Ylaidus - SPC: 4
Firesoul - SPC: 4

"...You should already understand the folly of your endeavors." Ylaidus said unexpectedly as they drove on. "I should not even have to say this, but... everything you face here, even Accel Synchro, cannot match up to the true power the 'real' Miyataka Eizan. Halberd Cannon can, once per turn, completely negate any form of summon you attempt. Knowing this, knowing how outmatched you are here, knowing how outmatched your allies are against their real enemy, why do you continue fighting? Is it some misguided attempt at vengeance? A lingering desire to achieve what your brother could not, at the cost of your own life? Or some feeble hope that you can still save the world?"

He was facing a challenge beyond anything he had ever faced, anything he had ever imagined. He was one turn, one inch away from losing the duel, and his life. And the world was breaking apart around him. The whole of reality could be wiped out.

And yet, at that moment, he laughed. It was a hollow, bitter chuckle, but it was an odd sound that caused even Ylaidus to turn around and glance at him, with a look that might've passed for surprise on another face.

"...why, you ask?" Fergusson replied finally, pushing on his accelerators to bring himself next to Ylaidus. "Y'know, normally I'd tell you not to list all those useless things to me. Allies, enemies, vengeance, saving the world... who cares about these, when there's a fight like this going on?"

"...I guess, today I'm feeling a little more honest."

"I used to respect you, you know." Fergusson placed his hand on top of his deck. "Not only were you the strongest duelist I knew, but you were the one who gave me and my brother a goal, a direction. A chance to make something out of ourselves. When my brother died and you disappeared, I thought I could at least fulfill your dream in your stead, and avenge both of you."

"To finish the Road to Tomorrow, to ensure that my brother's life did not go in vain, I went to great extends, making deals with hackers all over the world. I continued working alongside Duel International, alongside the people I hated, who I believed had killed my brother. All the while pretending to be someone else." Too often had he almost given up, yielding before what looked like an impossible endeavor. He had used up all the significant savings his family had been able to gather and more, in order to accomplish what he had.

"But it was all make-believe, wasn't it? You turned out to be the enemy, and my brother had pointlessly thrown away his own life. All this time, I was simply latched onto the past, refusing to let go. And thus I ended up doing exactly as you wanted. So now, at the end of this road... yeah, I'd say that all those things you mentioned don't matter any more, and I'd be right. All I have left is this one fight. However, before it all ends, I have one last story to tell."

"While playing in some promo event, I met this guy. He liked motorcycles just like I did, and he was a good duelist. He was looking for a job, so I decided to recommend him to Duel International, who was looking for beta testers for their new Riding Duel system. A few months later, just a couple of weeks ago, he was conveniently killed in a riding accident."

"...I knew, of course, that there had been no accident. I knew full well what Duel International was capable of, what risks the job entailed. But I wanted someone like him on the inside, I needed information. I handed him to them, knowing the risks. And frankly? I felt no remorse when he died. He was just a tool to me."

"So maybe I am, after all, just like you, nothing but a puppet, a damaged human who can't even feel sad at the death of someone he called friend." He laughed bitterly again. "A screw-up of epic proportions. A villain who likes to dress himself up as a hero. I don't even know what I am any more. How much of me is really me, and how much is simply the hunt after an empty goal?"

"At some point, I think, I had resigned myself to playing out my role, whatever that was. Throw the dice, and let destiny roll its way. That was why I came to challenge you here - the final act in a play that dragged on much longer than it should have. But, just now, I realized... "

It was a subtle, warm glow, a feeling that spread from his fingertips and reached to the very core of his soul. A fire that had not yet been extinguished.

"...even as a broken, wretched being, as long as you have something to believe in, there will always be something you can do!!" Everything he had ever believed in had fallen apart now. But, just maybe, there was one tiny thing left at the bottom of the box, after all the grief, the bitterness, the grim determination and the gaudy, baseless resolve were stripped away and torn to shreds. One last card he had put in his deck on a whim, an afterthought, for a reason he had not yet fully understood until now...

"Draw!!" The card blazed in his hand.

"Let's go, Ylaidus!! Let me show you the path that even broken things like us can carve for ourselves!"

"First, I activate the effect of Breakthrough Skill in my Graveyard, Banishing it in order to negate the effects of a monster you control for the duration of the turn! Now Halberd Cannon can no longer negate my summons!"

[spoiler=Breakthrough Skill]Breakthrough Skill
TRAP / Normal
Target 1 face-up Effect Monster your opponent controls; negate the effects of that opponent's face-up monster, until the end of this turn. During your turn, except the turn this card was sent to the Graveyard: You can banish this card from your Graveyard, then target 1 face-up Effect Monster your opponent controls; negate that target's effects until the end of this turn.[/spoiler]

"That card - !" Ylaidus gasped, a small measure of surprise seeping in his tone as his great mechanical soldier's weapon was wrapped in black chains, binding it in place. "The one you buried back then..." Fergusson had sent it to the Graveyard with the effect of Angel Baton, and now it was time to put it to good use.

"I banish the Fire monster, Jurak Giganoto, from my Graveyard, in order to Special Summon Flame Spirit Ifreet from my hand!" A devil of fire, a djinn surrounded by a halo of molten flames, rose next to him. "Then I tune the Level 4, Flame Spirit Ifreet, to the Level 3, Jurak Monolov!" Ifreet wasn't a Dinosaur-type monster, so Fergusson couldn't bring out his second Giganoto - but that was not the only Level 7 Synchro monster he had. The two monsters dissolved into fiery particles, joining into an array of three rings and four stars. "Synchro Summon!" A bulky form emerged through the burning column of energy, pitch-black, its demonic body covered in rusty metal plates, while a pair of malicious red eyes blazed through slits in its horned helmet. "Scrap Demon!!"

[spoiler=Flame Spirit Ifreet]Flame Spirit Ifreet
FIRE / Pyro
Level 4
1700/1000
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned by removing 1 FIRE monster in your Graveyard from play. Increase the ATK of this monster by 300 points during your Battle Phase.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=Scrap Demon]Scrap Demon
EARTH / Fiend
Level 7
2700/1800
1 Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters[/spoiler]

"Its attack power falls woefully short." Ylaidus observed. He was not shaken.

Not yet.

"I Normal Summon..." Fergusson held the last card in his hand aloft. The card that haad, at the very last moment, opened a new path.

"Influence Dragon!!"

Next to his D-Wheel, through a gale of wind, a metallic monster appeared - a small, bird-like dragonic creature with long narrow bladed silver wings and horn-shaped beak.

[spoiler=Influence Dragon]Influence Dragon
WIND / Dragon / Tuner
Level 3
300/900
Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up monster you control; it becomes Dragon-Type until the End Phase.[/spoiler]

"Influence Dragon's effect can turn a monster on my field into a Dragon type!" Silver cords sprang from the dragon tuner's body, attaching themselves to the metallic demon, who screamed as energy flowed into it, taking in a more dragonic appearance with wings sprouting from its back and claws emerging from its hands and feet.

The monsters in his field ignited in a furious blaze, and his entire D-Wheel was enveloped in a fiery aura. It's time... "For so long I've been searching for the path to the Nexus... I went through the fires of hate and despair, and watched my hopes crumble one after the other... but even after I'm left with nothing, on the precipice of the world's end..."

"Here I go! Scrap Demon! Influence Dragon! Become the flames that carry my resolve!" The last remnant of a fake friendship... perhaps it is worthless, but...

...perhaps it is also from small, insignificant things like that, that we can draw our true strength from...

"I tune the Level 7, now Dragon-Type monster, Scrap Demon, to the Level 3, Dragon-Type Tuner, Influence Dragon!" The transcendent pathway of the Road to Tomorrow became seared in white-hot flames, as three massive rings formed around them, aligning into a scale that led upwards, to the fiery heavens... seven stars, blazing like miniature suns, crossed that ladder, and a tremendous, earth-shattering roar resounded through the burning sky. "Synchro Summon!!"

A massive creature descended from the sky. The body of a dragon, dark wings spreading behind it, and three vicious heads, three gaping jaws wherein eternal flames burned... it had been an idle whim that had made him include Mike Nicholson's favorite monster, and a way to summon it, in his deck... and yet the fact that this monster was here now, was no coincidence.

"Trident Dragion!!"

[spoiler=Trident Dragion]Trident Dragion
FIRE / Dragon / Synchro
Level 10
3000/3000
1 Dragon-Type Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner Dragon-Type monsters
This monster cannot be Special Summoned except by Synchro Summon. When this card is Synchro Summoned, you can destroy up to 2 cards you control. If you do, for each card destroyed by this effect, this card gains 1 additional attack this turn.[/spoiler]

"Let's do this! Trident Dragion's effect activates!" Fergusson shouted. "I destroy my two reverse cards, to let it attack three times this turn!" At 3000 attack points, it seemed that no matter how many times it were to attack, it would fall far short of Ylaidus' Delta Accel Synchro monster, but... "At the same time, I chain both Trap cards! Synchro Strike! Each empowers my Synchro monster by 500 points for each of its materials, for a grand total of 2000 attack points!" Trident Dragion was enveloped in a fiery aura, its attack rising to 5000.

[spoiler=Synchro Strike]Synchro Strike
TRAP / Normal
Target Synchro Summoned monster gains 500 ATK for each Synchro Material Monster used to Summon it, until the End Phase.[/spoiler]

"And now, battle! Trident Dragion, tear down Tech Genus Halberd Cannon! Inferno Firestorm!!" The central head unleashed a torrent of flame. Breaking free of its restraints, the supersoldier met the stream of lava with the tip of its lance. Halberd Cannon charged forward, parting the flames with its weapon until it came close to the attacking dragon - it seemed as if it would win the battle with one swift strike. But the left-side head clamped on the shaft of the lance with its jaws, while the right one shattered the head. Even disarmed, though, it refused to give ground - it charged its energy into its right fist, and slammed it forward, in one last attempt to crush its enemy.

Fire met metal with a screeching noise, and both duelists were forced to avert their gaze from the blazing inferno in the sky, as the two monsters became a sphere of raw fire, a cataclysm that scorched their very flesh. It was a contest of sheer will and power - Halberd Cannon's fist had been dodged, but now its left-hand fingers were clenched around Dragion's central neck, choking the life out of it. At the same time, the flames, continuously fueled by the other two heads, were melting its armor and boiling the body within. The warrior's grip tightened, and the draconic beast roared and thrashed, its energy dropping as its life fled, unable to escape the deathgrip...

...one by one, the fingers loosened. Little by little, through the subsiding sheet of flames, Fergusson and Ylaidus witnessed the mighty creature slowly surrender the battle. Its armored husk was now gone, leaving only a defenseless core, blackened and scorched, melting rapidly. With a mournful cry, the battered warrior released its opponent and fell backwards. The retaliation was instant. Immediately, all three heads converged on their target, and with one last blast of flame, incinerated it completely.

Ylaidus - LP: 2700
Firesoul - LP: 200

"...when Halberd Cannon is destroyed, I can Special Summon a Tech Genus Synchro monster from the Graveyard." Ylaidus muttered. This effect would activate in the Graveyard itself, beyond Breakthrough Skill's restrictive reach. Tech Genus Wonder Magician materialized again, kneeling in Defense Position.

"Then Trident Dragion will destroy it with its second attack!" Fergusson pressed on. Without even stopping, the three-headed beast turned its focus on the resurrected sorceress, unleashing a renewed barrage of flames against her - unable to put up anywhere near as much resistance as the superior soldier, she was turned to ashes.

---

"..." Quietly, Ylaidus beheld the infernal visage of the final monster that Fergusson had brought out. To him, it was all incomprehensible. To him, nothing of this mattered. All he had to do was win. And he could, he would win. Tech Genus Wonder Magician had the effect, when destroyed, to allow its wielder to draw one card. From there, it was as simple as the top card of his deck being Battle Fader, which could negate Trident Dragion's last, direct attack - then the match would be decided by Speed World 2's effect.

To bend destiny in order to get the desired outcome, to violate the rules of reality to one's favor - that was the core principle of 'Chaos', that defied the established reality, 'Order'. The power that could turn a faint possibility into an absolute reality... he controlled that power. In that fluctuating state of the world, forcing one's will upon the hand of fate, was all a matter of the power they could channel into that will. And Ylaidus had, time and again, proven that he possessed the power he needed. Even as an empty husk, he was still an entity that had transcended the laws of logic, and risen to be called the strongest duelist for it.

He, who was born without identity, who was unable to fulfill his intended purpose, who was deemed a failure and cast away by his creator, who had been a part of his own self, had been given one sole task to make up for those inadequacies - become the strongest duelist. And so, he had kept winning. More than being unable to lose, he was unable to allow himself to lose, as he single-mindedly chased after that identity, that singular purpose. His very self had surrendered to this title, and thus, for him to lose would be paradoxical...

Then... why, did that top card of his deck, that rested only a few centimeters away from his fingertips, suddenly seem so far away...?

...for him to lose, that would require...

"...a miracle..."

Fingers that had never once trembled in nearly fifteen years, now shook, ever so slightly, as he withdrew that card. The card that would decide fate. Slowly, he turned it around.

"Gladial Beast... Samnite..." His whisper went unheard. The card that had delivered the finishing blow the last time he had faced this opponent, so long ago...

---

"Trident Dragion... last attack!!" Fergusson commanded. A stream of fire so thick it engulfed the entire field spread behind him, engulfing Ylaidus and his D-Wheel. The final strike, fueled with everything he had mustered up till now.

And as his opponent emerged through the fire, the outcome...

Ylaidus - LP: 0
Firesoul - LP: 200

"I... won..." He breathed. It was difficult to believe it himself. But he had finally done it. Finally...

An abrupt motion from the back caught his attention. He turned around. It seemed to happen in slow motion - Ylaidus swerved a bit too dangerously to the left and then - his vehicle spun out of control, and crashed against the crumbling wall, that had only just begun reparing itself after the Delta Accel Synchro monster had been destroyed. The boundary was broken to shreds and the black behemoth of a D-Wheel shot off to oblivion, leaving its rider, who slammed on the ground several feet away, behind.

Fergusson's own engine came to a screeching halt - he didn't even wait for it to stop completely as he jumped off, rushing to his former opponent. The fight was over, but he still had questions to ask.

But by the time he reached him, almost the entirety of his body had transformed to black motes, and Fergusson belatedly realized that Ylaidus had been vanquished even before he actually lost control of his D-Wheel, possibly as soon as his Life Points had disappeared. And so, he was left standing there, motionless, observing the last fragments of the being the world had known as the Japanese champion - the man that he had known as his friend, his mentor, his enemy, and in the end, his greatest and final opponent - dissolve into nothing.

---

"Just what... am I supposed to do?"

Yenma felt the frozen claws of despair grip him. The seconds, minutes were flowing by. And he was trapped there, with his only option left to slaughter innocent people in cold blood. He shivered.

"I don't know if it helps, but your girlfriend should be here any minute." Lynette chirped. She had resumed a cross-legged sitting position on top of one of the lower pillars, observing him. "I don't know if it's such a good idea to let her in here. Well, I'm saying that, but there's probably nothing you can do to stop her - she won't be able to see anything from outside, and the trap is one-way. She will be able to enter freely, but once she does, she'll be locked in here with you."

Yenma ground his teeth. Bringing Christina here... it probably wouldn't do anyone any good. No, more than that - if the only option was really to become a murderer, he shouldn't burden her with this scene. He should find a way to stop her - maybe through the Signer bond, he could convey his feelings...

The mark drawn on his arm began glowing, radiating a crimson aura. The bond between Signers... through it, he could feel Christina's and Kiishiro's presence. Their hearts, resonating with each other. Their anxiety, their fear. Kiishiro's emotions were tightly suppressed, sealed within a black mass of resolve. Christina's were shrouded in determination. But they were there. And most prominent of all -

Trust.

They all trusted each other. Despite their fear, despite the deadly circumstances they were in, all three of them were ready to trust each other with their lives and more. Not just the three of them. The same went for Sugita, Takechi and Yuko. And Maya and Yuusuke, too. All of them who had come here were bound together by trust. And if they had that trust...

"No." He whispered. He would bet on that trust, and on a miracle that could be forged from their bonds.

[/spoiler]

 

Just a reminder - Extra Chapter 10 will be posted next, followed by Chapters 71 and 72, which conclude the 6th story arc.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

Ah Lynette. Forever to be mistaken for a helping ally. :D

 

Can't remember what was the new and what was the same entirely so forgive me if this is short, but obviously the big thing was the duel's resolution and whether this way would be better than "I summon Halbred Cannon.... BOOM. Dead." I'm... undecided. Sorry. It's just, as much kickass as Trident is and cool for Ferguson to win with and I have no objections to its inclusion, the Nicholson link being 'whim inclusion' felt sort of blunting, given Ferguson said 'yeah I basically gave DI his head on a platter for my own gains, btw that's a cool monster you got there.' I also enjoyed Yladius little monologues, drawing Samnite at the end (Extra Chapter 9 and it's consequences are probably the best thing to come out of this rewrite section for me). Stuff I didn't enjoy so much being the amount of duplicates; Synchro Strike, Attack Gainer, Threatening Roar, Guard Block (I think Ferguson had 2). Yeah I know more competitive decks, obv have 2 copies of key cards and it makes sense rather just throwing random stuff in to do the same job less effectively (and I'm the last person to talk here), but it seems grating when in such abundance. Think Synchro Strike + other ATK boosting trap would have been my preference tbh. And emphasising the disaster that is Delta Accel could potentially be with the original... well that all depends on what if any impact other Synchro Tuners/Accel Synchros might have in the story doesn't it? ;)

 

I guess this half resolves Ferguson more nicely of being a messed up selfish jerk who sorta came good at the last minute, so... good things and bad things about each alt ending I guess. Sorry I can't be more decisive with it.

 

As Ferguson might say.... well this (comment) sucks. (Best under-reaction ever) :lol:

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

Reminder that I still love this story, and you, and I know this section is deader than a very dead thing, but please take heart from somewhere. :(

 

Hope uni isn't burying you in exam revision.

[Vector Nightmare]

Well, lack of comments is beyond discouraging but... eh. Here is the next chapter, the 10th in the Extra Chapter arc. From this, it should be fairly obvious which of our characters will become a focal point in the last set of the sixth arc's chapters. This one's a bit on the quiet side compared to the recent chapters, think of it as a cooldown chapter. Hope you enjoy it regardless... and it would be good if someone actually said anything except Matt
 
[spoiler=Extra Chapter 10]

Extra Chapter 10: Unprecedented Wind

"Did you hear that? They just announced the start date for the Element Cycle!"

"Seriously? Man, I wish I could participate..."

Jinrei Yenma followed this exchange with interest. Duel Terminal was a very popular activity and topic of discussion, and though he had only started playing a few months ago, and knew he had no chance of even entering such a high-profile tournament, he liked to think that some day, his virtual avatar, Greyblade, would earn that honor.

Yenma was a rather short, lean fellow with plain black hair, kept in a flat haircut. His virtually only distinguishing feature were his eyes, which were a faded grey color. This unique shade was the result of an eye surgery that was performed on him when he was younger, but even so, Yenma liked it, because it set him apart. He straightened his school shirt, grabbed his bag, and approached the small circle of friends that were waiting for him.

"Even if the Element Cycle starts, folks like us have zero shots at passing the qualifications, much less winning." One of them, Kariya, voiced Yenma's thoughts. Kariya was the one who had introduced them all to the game, but all of them were still between ranks ten and twenty-five. "Hello, Jinrei-kun. Ready to go?"

"Yeah." Yenma shouldered his bag, and the group headed out towards the bus station. Throughout the way, they argued about the tournament a bit more, before returning to bragging about their recent victories. Apart from these friends, Yenma did not duel with other people much - it tended to make him nervous and wreck his game. Even if the Duel Terminal system was largely designed as a multiplayer game, it boasted formidable artificial intelligence-based opponents, and a bulky single player portion which consisted of dozens of challenges, each of whom represented a specific situation that the player had to overcome. These scenarios were often quite difficult, and in contrast with the usual AI-based duels, featuring peculiar rules that sometimes the player wasn't even aware of until he experienced them. The easier ones were mostly used as material to learn and practice the game, and earn some easy Duel Points, however many more existed, and some of which were very difficult to complete even for high-ranked players, due to the often great advantages the computer opponents possessed. Challenges were often grouped together, and finishing a specific group yielded some extra bonuses. Yenma had finished a long series of these challenges, with only one left until he could complete the set and earn his reward. He looked forward to finishing it today.

He bid farewell to his friends when they reached the correct station. His house was still quite a distance away, so Yenma headed out to a small closed warehouse near the station, where he locked his bicycle. Retrieving it, he began slowly wading through the streets, and in a short while more, he was back at his place.

Eager as he was to start playing right away, he knew it would be quite irresponsible, and probably a bad idea, to neglect his homework until later. His parents were still at work, and his siblings were away, so he grabbed something quick to eat and set himself to work. It took him the better part of an hour to finish the work from school, and almost as much again to wrap up some chores that his parents had assigned. Once that was done, after a small break, he walked to his room. It was small, barely large enough to fit a bed, a desk, and a wardrobe without feeling too cramped. There was no room for a Duel Terminal booth here, so Yenma grabbed the things he needed and headed out again, grabbing his bicycle that had been hastily abandoned near the front door. Their house was certainly not designed to fit all five of them, but ironically, both Yenma's siblings and his parents were away most of the time. Yenma drove down to the nearest arcade center, a mere ten minutes on the bike.

Since new Duel Terminal hardware was released on an almost monthly basis, there was a vast variety of booths available. Only a few of the smaller stores were up-to-date with the latest releases. In this particular shop, the booths were of a relatively older variety. Bulky, they had an extra compartment where players could securely lock their belongings while they were immersed in the virtual world, and the entire booth could be shut in an opaque case. Despite the extra security they provided, these had quickly fallen out of use due to their size and production cost - the responsibility to provide a safe and comfortable playing environment was delegated to the individual store. However, Yenma liked these booths because of the isolation they offered. It wasn't as if one could sense anything that was going on in the  real world while inside the virtual reality, except for extreme cases, and noone could tamper with the machine while one was playing, but he still enjoyed the feeling of privacy those closed cases provided.

Yenma paid the small charge required to activate the booth, and ran the fingerprint identification, which revealed on the screen his virtual avatar, Greyblade. They had little in common, besides the eye color, which Yenma had specifically picked to match his own distinguishing feature. Greyblade was taller, with a stockier, more muscular body, with dark brown hair that flowed smoothly around his face. Yenma placed the D-Tacher securely on his head, and braced himself for the momentary numbness that accompanied the lapse of reality from a world he perceived with his body's senses, to an artificial world recognized by sensations transmitted directly into his brain. The Duel Terminal locked around him, and his vision blacked out.

He was standing on the edge of a large plateau. The mountainside towered several feet ahead of him, while the world ended in an abrupt, bottomless fall almost directly behind him. Yenma tried to ignore the creeping sense of vertigo. On the plateau stood several withered trees, seemingly sprouting out of the cold, hard stone. The virtual world often included strange things, as if merely to remind the players that they stood on a place that could not exist within their normal reality. One of those right here were the numerous floating chunks of land, some as massive as the entire plateau he was standing on, but a long distance away, apparently suspended in mid-air. It was a tad nauseating to think that his own plateau and the entire mountain might be floating on nothingness as well.

One of the most commonly asked questions regarding the virtual reality was how the user adjusted to a body that was not his own. The answer was surprisingly simple - the artificial body was not controlled directly from the brain as a normal body would, but through an external engine that manipulated the signals received, and then directly translated them to commands that were implemented into motions. This prevented any balance issues that might be produced when the virtal body's physical characteristics were vastly different than the real one's, and also catered for people who could not physically perform regular actions due to disabilities. This came in handy for places where movement was not restricted by hardware limitations, such as one's Duelist home. Incidentally, it also acted as a buffer against actions that were disallowed for obvious reasons, preventing them from being realized. Of course, the only real motions a player could perform in such an environment were ones related to the Duel, so the system was relatively simple.

A rather vague categorization of Duel Terminal decks would name two distinct styles: themed, and competitive. Themed decks were based around a concept of varying solidity - it could be as specific as an archetype, or as vague as a whole monster type or attribute - and were relatively easy to build, since one was able to get quite a few simple support cards of their choice for free or at very cheap cost, if they followed the tutorials designated for mastering the basics and building a deck. Competitive decks were derived from themed decks - they did not differ from them in the basic concept, however, they had been altered and expanded with cards, often unrelated to the orignal theme, with the sole purpose of increasing their ability to win. Yenma, at rank nine, was a far cry from being able to build a competitive deck yet. Depending on their luck and diligence, as well as their decisions to spend their Duel Points for other, optional features of the Duel Terminal world, a player could often not manage to create a single optimized deck until they were over rank twenty. However, for most of the duels against the artificial intelligence, his current deck had proven adequate - more often than not, it was a matter of skill, or inability to grasp the peculiarities of each duel early enough, that caused his defeats, since the artificial intelligence tended to use mostly themed decks with certain tricks and unique features.

Predictably, it did not take long for the opponent to appear. Thick wisps of mist began gathering a fair distance before him, gradually converging and shifting into a human shape. Finally, a figure emerged from the fog. Yenma gasped.

The woman that appeared stood a bit shorter than him. She was almost too thin, as if her body itself was made from the fog she appeared from. Her hair was long, tied in a braid, the color of gold. And her eyes... her eyes were covered by a white blindfold. A creature of otherworldly beauty - Yenma had to remind himself that she was not real, merely a cohesive array of sensory signals. Beside her, the name tag that marked all entities, whether they were player characters or artificial intelligence programs, revealed her true identity.

Lorelei.

She smiled at him. Why... why does that smile feel so... human? He had met a lot of artificial intelligence programs in the virtual reality, some more and others less human in shape and attitude... but with all of them, there was a distinct something that set them apart from human-controlled avatars. That something was... faint here, to say the least. And she hadn't even spoken yet. "Wh - what are you?" He asked numbly, failing to realize how his question must have sounded.

"I am the envoy of the fates that govern this world." She responded softly. Yenma shook his head. "The question is, what are you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you someone that is strong enough to seize what he wants? Someone that can step up and fight the tides of fate? Someone that can rise up to the thorny path that stretches before them? Your road is long, Greyblade, and I will make sure you have what it takes to follow it."

This is just a script. A very vaguely-written script, but a script nonetheless. Why... why do I feel shaken?

"Let's battle. If you defeat me, your prize awaits." Waving her hand, she simply produced five cards out of thin air. Wh - whoa! That's some pretty cool gimmick right there!

"A - alright. I'll take you on!" Restricted by the more conventional dueling method, he armed and activated his Duel Disk, drawing his opening hand.

"You may take the first move." Lorelei allowed serenely.

Greyblade - LP: 4000
Lorelei - LP: 4000

Turn 1 - Greyblade

"Alright." He muttered. The setting and opponent had caught him off-guard, true, but after all this was just a game. They've done a damn good job with the realism factor of these programs, though... He eyed Lorelei doubtfully. It's strange... she's barely speaking... she's barely moving, and I can't even see her eyes... why do I get that strange vibe that she's more... human... than any of the other programs I've seen?

"I summon Speed Warrior." His voice hung, uncertain. A robotic silver warrior appeared before him, jogging on the spot. "With Speed Warrior's skill, during the turn it is summoned, its attack is doubled... oh." Because this was the first turn, that sort of bonus was meaningless... instead, Speed Warrior was going to remain on the field with its meager 900 points of attack. I made a misplay already... "T - Turn end..."

[spoiler=Speed Warrior]Speed Warrior
WIND / Warrior
Level 2
900/400
During the Battle Phase of the turn you Normal Summon this card, you can double its original ATK until the end of the Battle Phase.[/spoiler]

Turn 2 - Lorelei

Usually, the AI opponents were quick to throw a snide remark at the player's shortcomings, but Lorelei said nothing. Serenely, she drew her next card.

"I summon Dragonfly." One of the cards in front of her dissolved into nothingness, reappearing parallel to the ground in face-up vertical position and a large winged insect materialized before her. A Wind deck? "Dragonfly attacks Speed Warrior." There was nothing Yenma could do to defend his monster. The insect's sting pierced through the robotic monster's flesh, causing it to explode, and he winced at the slight damage reception shock.

[spoiler=Dragonfly]Dragonfly
WIND / Insect
Level 4
1400/900
When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the Graveyard: You can Special Summon 1 WIND monster with 1500 or less ATK from your Deck, in face-up Attack Position.[/spoiler]

Greyblade - LP: 3500
Lorelei - LP: 4000

"Turn end."

Turn 3 - Greyblade

Hmm... I could destroy her monster by attacking, but then it'd just bring out another copy... Yenma looked at his options carefully. I don't want to make another miss... oh! I know!

"I activate the Magic card, Black Core! I have to discard a card from my hand, but then your monster is removed from the game!" He slid a card into his Duel Disk's Graveyard slot, and a cackling black sphere appeared around Dragonfly, causing it to vanish into nothingness. "If I Banish your monster, you can't use its effect!" Lorelei said nothing. Alright! Her field is completely open!

[spoiler=Black Core]Black Core
SPELL / Normal
Discard 1 card. Remove from play 1 face-up monster.[/spoiler]

"I summon Litte-Winguard!" A small blue-armored warrior with small wings, brandishing a suitably-sized sword and shield, formed in front of him. "And now, attack! Strike her, Little-Winguard!" His monster flew up to Lorelei, its wings flapping vigorously, and pierced her with its blade. She didn't react as her Life Pointer fell.

[spoiler=Litte-Winguard]Litte-Winguard
WIND / Warrior
Level 4
1400/1800
Once per turn, during your End Phase: You can change the battle position of this card.[/spoiler]

Greyblade - LP: 3500
Lorelei - LP: 2600

"During my end phase, Little-Winguard switches to defense position." Yenma murmured. "Turn end."

Turn 4 - Lorelei

"So you prefer Wind monsters." Lorelei smiled. "I thought so, since this is the place you were called to."

"Um... what exactly are you talking about?" Yenma asked awkwardly. Certainly, this particular arena was a thematic fit for his mostly Wind-based deck, but it was just one of the many he had battled in.

"Nevermind me. I will go on." Another card materialized in front of Lorelei. "First, I send a card from my hand to the Graveyard. This allows me to Special Summon this monster directly from my hand." Yenma flinched - a monster with an inherent Special Summon ability? "Come forth, The Tricky!" A strange jester-like creature with red question marks painted on its mask and chest appeared in front of her, performing a quick bow. 2000 attack points...

[spoiler=The Tricky]The Tricky
WIND / Spellcaster
Level 5
2000/1200
You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by discarding 1 card.[/spoiler]

"The Tricky attacks Little-Winguard." Lorelei declared. The mysterious jester unleashed a bolt of flame from its hands, incinerating his defending monster. At least it was on defense... Yenma sighed, placing it in his Graveyard.

"Since I have not Normal Summoned a monster yet, I will set this in Defense position." Lorelei picked out another card from her 'hand', which materialized in the form of a concealed, horizontally-placed card a few feet ahead. "Turn end."

Turn 5 - Greyblade

"My turn! Draw!" Yenma announced. I don't have anything that can beat The Tricky right now... but I can at least try to take out her hidden monster, and even deal her some damage! "I summon Lancer Lindwurm in attack position!" A green winged reptilian wearing golden armor and brandishing a double-edged lance appeared on his field. Lancer Lindwurm can deal damage even to a defending opponent... if that monster's defense is lower than 1800, I'll get her! "Lancer Lindwurm, attack that concealed monster!" The dragonic reptile charged, aiming its spear straight at the center of the reverse card. However, when it was flipped upwards to reveal a green-skinned fairy with long blue hair clad in a golden dress, the weapon bounced harmlessly against her translucent protective barrier. It's stronger?! But, Yenma didn't feel the retaliation impact either. No, the same...

[spoiler=Lancer Lindwurm]Lancer Lindwurm
WIND / Dragon
Level 4
1800/1200
During battle between this attacking card and a Defense Position monster whose DEF is lower than the ATK of this card, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent.[/spoiler]

"Spirit of the Gentle Breeze has 1800 defense points, the same as Lancer Lindwurm." Lorelei explained. "Therefore, neither monster is destroyed, and neither of us takes damage."

[spoiler=Spirit of the Gentle Breeze]Spirit of the Gentle Breeze
WIND / Fairy
Level 3
0/1800
As long as this card remains in face-up Attack Position on your side of the field, increase your Life Points by 1000 points during each of your Standby Phases.[/spoiler]

"Turn... end." She's reading me completely... even though it's just a program...

Turn 6 - Lorelei

"My turn. Draw." Lorelei's covered eyes focused on the card she had just summoned to her, and her lips curved in a small smile. "It's time. I release both The Tricky and Spirit of the Gentle Breeze." Release, she said? A Tribute Summon?! Furthermore, two sacrifices - !! The two spirits were enveloped in an emerald aura, transforming into motes of green light that flew up into the sky, igniting into a storm of wind and feathers.

"Oh god that governs the clouds, descend from the heavenly meteora!" Lorelei chanted. "Accept the souls of your servants as an offering, and bless this earth with your presence! I summon the Ancestral God Bird Simurgh!"

"Wh - what is that thing - !!" Yenma exclaimed. The gigantic winged creature that slowly floated down from the hole that opened in the clouds... its impossibly big body was pure gold, including its rich feathered wings and the halo-like circlet attached over its shoulders. "Simurgh..."

[spoiler=Ancestral God Bird Simurgh]Ancestral God Bird Simurgh
WIND / Winged Beast
Level 8
2900/2000
Both players Tribute Summon WIND monsters with 1 less Tribute than required. If you Tribute Summon this card by Tributing only WIND monsters, return up to 2 cards your opponent controls to their owner's hand. This card is treated as a Normal Monster while in your hand.[/spoiler]

"A legendary god of the sky that has lived for thousands of years. Its eyes have seen the world destroyed three times." Lorelei stated. Was there sadness in that voice? Programs could mimic emotions but... why did Yenma feel sadness radiating from his opponent. The great golden bird roared, as if establishing its superiority on the field. 2900 attack points... I don't have even a single monster in my deck that can match it! Yenma searched desperately for a strategy, but Lorelei gave him no time to think.

"Because both Spirit of the Gentle Breeze and The Tricky, the offerings used to call it forth, were Wind monsters, Simurgh's effect activates now. Up to two cards on your field return to your hand - right now, you only have Lancer Lindwurm, so it will disappear." Lindwurm shrieked and struggled to maintain its position against the sudden windstorm that burst over the field. Yenma almost felt the force of the winds pushing him back. His monster couldn't withstand the great windstorm brought about by the descent of the god, and disappeared. In shock, Yenma retrieved the deactivated card. You've got to be kidding me! 2900 attack... and my field is wide open!

"Now, Simurgh, unleash your judgment." Lorelei commanded. "God Wind!" The very air pulsed and vibrated, filled with golden light. Sonic waves struck him, and he almost yelled in shock - so intense was the feeling. But soon the storm subsided, leaving him unharmed. The same could not be said for his Life Points, though. In one fell swoop, they had been all but annihilated.

Greyblade - LP: 600
Lorelei - LP: 2600

"Now I will set a card from my hand. Turn end."

Turn 7 - Greyblade

Damn... what a monster! This is really overdoing it... how the hell am I supposed to beat this thing? Yenma drew his next card, not having much hope. Hey... I may not be able to defeat it but this can at least hold it off until I figure out... something... "I set a monster in defense position. Then, I set one card... Turn end."

Turn 8 - Lorelei

"Back to me." Lorelei said softly, regarding him with those hidden eyes of hers. She glanced at the cards arrayed in front of her. "The God Bird's power has only just begun to manifest itself. "By removing the Wind monster, The Tricky, that sleeps in my Graveyard from the game, I can call forth a new monster... come forth, Silpheed!" A fairy wearing a purple mask, clad in flowing white robes and surrounded by raging air currents, materialized underneath the golden bird. Another Special Summon - that means - !!

[spoiler=Silpheed]Silpheed
WIND / Fairy
Level 4
1700/700
This card cannot be Normal Summoned or Set. This card can only be Special Summoned by removing from play 1 WIND monster in your Graveyard. When this card is destroyed as a result of battle and sent to the Graveyard, your opponent discards 1 random card from their hand.[/spoiler]

"At this moment, I will reveal the second effect of Ancestral God Bird Simurgh. When I desire to summon a Level 5 or higher Wind spirit, and a Tribute would be required, I can reduce the number of Tributes by one monster. Therefore... simply by releasing Silpheed... here goes. Even gods evolve and adapt. Blessed by the power of the world you protected... appear now, and sublimate yourself in the light of nature! I summon God Bird Simurgh!" Another one?! No... The bird that descended from the heavens was the same creature as the one that already stood there, showering the field with its golden luster, but its form was decidedly different. For one thing, its body was smaller, more compact, and its skin and wings were coated in a pale emerald color. The feathers spreading of its wings were diaphanous and seemed almost holographic in nature. Thankfully it was a little weaker than its counterpart in terms of attack, too, although that probably didn't matter much now.

[spoiler=God Bird Simurgh]God Bird Simurgh
WIND / Winged Beast
Level 7
2700/1000
This card cannot be Special Summoned. If you Tribute Summon this card, all Tributes must be WIND. Each player takes 1000 damage during each of their End Phases, while this card remains face-up on the field. This damage is decreased by 500 for each Spell/Trap Card the player controls.[/spoiler]

"Simurgh... it's time for you to deliver your judgment again." The two counterparts of the god bird cried out furiously. "God Bird Simurgh, attack! God Tornado!" The emerald deity spread its wings, which shot out a barrage of laser-like beams that struck Yenma's concealed monster. He shielded himself from the barrage, but...

"The monster you just destroyed is called Army Dragon!" He exclaimed. "When destroyed, it Special Summons another copy of Army Dragon from my deck!" A lizardman with broad wings, armed with shield and sword, emerged from the aftermath of the blast, staring defiantly at its impending doom.

[spoiler=Army Dragon]Army Dragon
WIND / Dragon
Level 2
700/800
If this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard as a result of battle, select and Special Summon 1 "Troop Dragon" from your Deck to your side of the field. Then shuffle your Deck.[/spoiler]

"Very well. Then, Ancestral God Bird Simurgh will extinguish it. God Wind!" Yenma's monster was enveloped in the divine whirlwind, destroyed without a trace, but in the midst of the eye of the cyclone, a third appeared to take its place. Phew... after all this, I'm still left with something...

"I set a card. Turn end." Another reverse card? What is she planning...

Turn 9 - Greyblade

Phew... at least I have a monster left this time... but I'm out of plans. He frowned at the cards he held. "I set a monster. Turn end."

"Not so fast." Lorelei interjected. "During your End Phase, the effect of God Bird Simurgh activates." The emerald bird spread its wings, and a bright light enveloped the entire plateau. "During each player's End Phase, they take 1000 points of direct damage." Yenma gasped, and Lorelei smiled slightly. "However, that amount is reduced by 500, for every Spell or Trap card the opponent controls. So in this case..." He cried out as he was struck by a bolt of lightning. J - just 100 Life Points left - !!

Greyblade - LP: 100
Lorelei - LP: 2600

Turn 10 - Lorelei

"It's time to finish this." Lorelei declared. "Every light casts a shadow... and even the gods that stand in heaven carve their likeness into the dark world below... from my Graveyard, I select Silpheed, a Wind attribute monster, and this." The second card that had appeared turned over to reveal itself, and Yenma's eyes widened. That card is Dark Grepher! She never played this! How did it - oh. He recalled that moment when Lorelei summoned The Tricky. The only chance she had to send it to the Graveyard...

Wait a moment...

"Dark Grepher is of the Dark attribute. Along with Silpheed, they will disappear from the game, and in their stead... come forth! I summon Dark Simurgh!"

Dark... Simurgh...?

Soon, he understood. It was the same creature again... except pitch-black, like a monstrous raven, and its eyes shone an evil red... the third form of the god. Its dark form.

[spoiler=Dark Simurgh]Dark Simurgh
DARK / Winged Beast
Level 7
2700/1000
While face-up on the field, this card is also WIND-Attribute. You can banish 1 DARK monster and 1 WIND monster from your Graveyard; Special Summon this card from your hand. You can banish 1 DARK monster and 1 WIND monster from your hand; Special Summon this card from your Graveyard. Your opponent cannot Set any cards on the field.[/spoiler]

"Between light and shadow... where do you stand?" Lorelei asked him, but it seemed to be rhetorical, because moments later she raised her hand. "Dark Simurgh, attack! Black Wind!" The black monster spread its wings and a scathing, cutting storm of wind and black feathers exploded forward, destroying his Army Dragon. With no more left in the deck, Yenma had no choice but to grit his teeth, waiting for the remainder of the onslaught.

"Following, God Bird Simurgh... erase that reverse monster! God Tornado!" Speared by the emerald lances, the Lancer Lindwurm Yenma had summoned evaporated into nothingness, leaving him wide open.

"And finally, Ancestral God Bird... attack directly!"

"Not so fast!" Yenma called out. He reached out, but not for the reverse card in his Spell and Trap zone, but rather, his Graveyard...

"I activate the Magic card, Black Core! I have to discard a card from my hand, but then your monster is removed from the game!" He slid a card into his Duel Disk's Graveyard slot, and a cackling black sphere appeared around Dragonfly, causing it to vanish into nothingness.

That's right. She wasn't the only one to place a key monster in the Graveyard directly... "From my Graveyard, I activate the effect of Necro Gardna! If I banish this monster, this one attack is instantly negated!"

[spoiler=Necro Gardna]Necro Gardna
DARK / Warrior
Level 3
600/1300
Remove from play this card in your Graveyard to negate 1 attack this turn from a monster your opponent controls.[/spoiler]

"Oh?" Lorelei mused. "Turn end, then. But I will tell you something now. As long as Dark Simurgh exists on the field, you cannot set any cards from your hand, including Spells and Traps. This means that, during your End Phase, receiving 500 points of damage is unavoidable due to the God Bird's effect. Unless you defeat me this turn or somehow manage to increase your Life Points... this is the end for you."

Turn 11 - Greyblade

I... what can I do? He had no monsters, and three cards in his hand, none of which were capable of reversing this situation. And his reverse card. But even with it... unless he somehow managed to draw a card that could initiate a comeback, it was over. I guess I have to... bet on this draw... He closed his eyes and snatched the top card of his deck, hoping...

Th - this card! With this I have a chance - !!

"I summon Air Circulator!" He called out. A bipedal robot whose entire upper body was dominated by a large blastfan appeared before him. Lorelei frowned - the thing had 0 attack points. But with its effect... "Air Circulator's effect activates! I send two cards from my hand back to the deck, and then draw twice!" He quickly made the exchange. Come on...

[spoiler=Air Circulator]Air Circulator
WIND / Aqua
Level 3
0/600
When this card is Normal Summoned: You can shuffle 2 cards from your hand into the Deck, then draw 2 cards. When this card is destroyed: Draw 1 card.[/spoiler]

"..." Yenma glanced at his new hand. Like this...

"I activate... Forced Transition!" He declared. "With this, each of us must choose a monster we control, and then we exchange these monsters! I obviously choose Air Circulator!" Yosh! My monster has zero attack points! Whichever of her birds she gives me, I will be able to finish the match in one strike!

[spoiler=Forced Transition]Forced Transition
SPELL / Normal
Each player chooses 1 monster they control and switches control of those monsters with each other. Those monsters cannot change their battle positions for the rest of this turn.[/spoiler]

Lorelei seemed to consider the situation carefully. Eventually, she sighed. "I suppose... Dark Simurgh." Yenma's eyes narrowed. He had not expected this - with Dark Simurgh under his control, he would be able to set a card and avoid the damaging effect of its counterpart, should Lorelei somehow survive this. Has she given up? But... As he glanced up at the great black beast, he felt... something. A subtle whisper, less than a whisper. It was simply a feeling... was this...

...fate?

Lorelei was only smiling enigmatically. Yenma gritted his teeth. But deep down, he knew this was the beginning of a long, long road.

"Dark Simurgh, attack!" He commanded. "Your target is Air Circulator!" The shadow bird howled under his orders, spreading its wings.

"I'm afraid I can't let this end so easily." Lorelei retaliated. "Reverse card, open! Collapse! I target Dark Simurgh, and its original attack power becomes halved for this turn!" So this is what she had - !!

[spoiler=Collapse]Collapse
SPELL / Quick-Play
Target 1 face-up monster on the field; the original ATK of that monster is halved until the End Phase.[/spoiler]

But...

"Counter Trap, open!" Yenma yelled. "Magic Jammer! At the cost of a card from my hand, this card can negate the activation and effect of any Magic card you activate!" The sickly green aura that had appeared around Simurgh dissolved into a black fog, leaving his monster untouched. Every light casts a shadow... The pitch-black storm shot forward.

[spoiler=Magic Jammer]Magic Jammer
TRAP / Counter
When a Spell Card is activated: Discard 1 card; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy it.[/spoiler]

---

Lorelei considered. The remaining card in her hand... only a regular monster. Her set card... a harmless Spell set to negate the damage from Simurgh's effect. In short... it was done.

Every light casts a shadow... we cast many shadows in this world, and each has its own fate. We, too, are shadows of something greater... the boy who stands before me will be guided by the black wings to his eventual destiny. I cannot see the end. But this, too, is a foregone conclusion... Dark Simurgh's attack speared through her borrowed monster, striking straight through her.

Greyblade - LP: 100
Lorelei - LP: 0

Between light and shadow... where do you stand? You are the only one that can set forth your own fate.

"Well done." She called out. "That was a magnificent victory. You have earned this reward." Waving her hand, she transformed Dark Simurgh's idol into a card, which floated over to the shellshocked boy's hands.

[/spoiler]

[Aerion Brightflame]

I apologise for not commenting on the chapters I've missed out before now, there's rather a simple reason: (Well two, but saying that I'm lazy wouldn't really matter in this situation)

 

But really it was just that there was nothing much I felt the need to comment upon. The only issue I had was with Christina, and that her brief spat of darkness made me feel nothing, but that's more because she was such a late introduction that I do admit to struggling to feel much for her.

 

But otherwise, yeah I just didn't have any complaints about it. They were all extremely solid chapters. And since I felt that just posting great chapters keep it up would be... odd, I just personal feel that posting just to say it was great is kinda bad. But I'll probably comment more since nobody else seems to.

 

But yeah, keep it up, and I await the continuation of this arc.

[Bahamut - Envoy of the End]

The only issue I had was with Christina, and that her brief spat of darkness made me feel nothing, but that's more because she was such a late introduction that I do admit to struggling to feel much for her.

 

Hey, this just made me think of something Saber. You bashed me to high heaven over Dark Hikari in Armageddon..., then you do exactly the same thing with Christina!

 

Yes Dark Hikari was kinda rushed and was bigged up a bit more as a plot point than this... but still it does seem a little bit similar. =/

 

...I just didn't have any complaints about it.

 

Nothing to complain about or pick fault at, so not going to comment.

 

Not meaning to pick on you here Barty as you have commented and regularly, but just read that and though that pretty much sums up everything wrong with Creative Writing/YCM/humanity in a nutshell. Something is suspicously good and there's nothing for me to ridicule or tear fault with, so rather than say well done, I'm going to say nothing.

 

Wouldn't life be so much nicer if people looked for and focused on the good things instead of the bad?