Mizael LP: 3800
Number 107: Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon: Dragon-Type/Xyz/LIGHT/Rank 8/ATK 3000/DEF 2500 – 1 OLU
Spell & Trap Zone: 3 Set cards
Anna LP: 3400
Snow Plow Hustle Rustle: Machine-Type/EARTH/Level 10/ATK 2500/DEF 3000
Express Train Trolley Olley: Machine-Type/EARTH/Level 10/ATK 1800/DEF 1000
Fiend Zone: Revolving Switchyard
Fuya LP: 4000
Spell & Trap Zone: 1 Set card
"My turn, draw!" Anna declared. "First, I activate the effect of Revolving Switchyard!"
"Again?" Fuya remarked.
"By discarding one card, I can add a Level 10 Machine-Type to my hand. I discard Rocket Arrow Express to add Night Express Knight to my hand." She sent the first card to her Graveyard, and just as quickly caught the second one being ejected from her Deck. "Then, by reducing its ATK to 0, I can Summon it from my hand without Tributing. Come, Night Express Knight!" Another door off to the side opened, allowing an express train with a jousting knight-like statue attached to the front onto the field.
Night Express Knight: Machine-Type/EARTH/Level 10/ATK 3000 → 0/DEF 3000
"Then, I activate the effect of Heavy Freight Train Derricrane in my hand!" Anna flipped the card around to show the other two. "When I Summon an EARTH Machine-Type monster, this card can be Special Summoned immediately with its ATK and DEF cut in half. Appear, Derricrane!" With much rumbling, a yellow train transporting a crane trundled out from yet another bay.
Heavy Freight Train Derricrane: Machine-Type/EARTH/Level 10/ATK 2800 → 1400/DEF 2000 → 1000
"Four Level ten monsters!" Mizael said, surprised.
Anna grinned. She'd managed to collect all the pieces she needed for a One Turn Kill, and Mizael had barely lifted a finger against her. She couldn't quite believe it had been so easy. Indeed, even as she reached for her Extra Deck, a small part of her brain was telling her to be more careful, to consider forgoing her all-out attack in favour of a bit of security, to maybe Summon something else instead...
No, she thought angrily. I have a chance for a One Turn Kill here. I'm not throwing that away!
"Here we go!" Anna cried. "Level ten Hustle Rustle and Trolley Olley, Overlay!" Two of her four trains morphed into orange bolts of energy and shot away from their tracks. A red spiral portal opened up, covering the rotary track in the middle of the field. "I use these two monsters to construct the Overlay Network!" The two Xyz Materials flew into the portal, which erupted with light. "From beyond the railway, arrive here and now, alongside the tremors of the earth! Xyz Summon! Appear, Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max!"
The blazing portal upended itself, now standing upright between Anna and Mizael. Moving at a gradual but steady pace, a colossal new locomotive chugged out from within its depths, eventually coming to halt on the rotary track. It looked like a giant green cubic machine atop a grey infrastructure, which itself was carried by a number of smaller trains. It had no visible weaponry, but on size alone, it utterly dwarfed Tachyon Dragon. Two orange Overlay Unit flew in a wide orbit around the gargantuan machine.
Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max: Machine-Type/Xyz/EARTH/Rank 10/ATK 3000/DEF 3000 – 2 OLU
"Now I activate the effect of Express Train Trolley Olley!" Anna went on without a second's delay. "When used as Xyz Material, it grants the Summoned Xyz Monster an effect that gives it an extra 800 ATK!"
"As if I'll let you!" Mizael retorted. "Trap Card, open! Tachyon Flare Wing!" His face-down card activated, and a pair of bright orange wing extensions materialised, and attached to his dragon. "When my opponent Summons an Xyz Monster, this card can be activated by equipping to Tachyon Dragon. And while equipped, the effects of all Xyz Monsters you control are negated on the spot!"
"But that won't work!" Fuya interjected. "Trolley Olley isn't an Xyz Monster, nor is it on the field."
"True, but Gustav Max is," Mizael replied. "And Trolley Olley's effect doesn't just activate itself, but instead donates the effect to the Summoned Xyz Monster, and has it use it instead. Therefore, the effect currently being activated is that of Gustav Max, not Trolley Olley. As such, it can be negated!"
At that moment, the energy wings emitted a piercing ray of light. Gustav Max was enveloped in it, and a clunking noise emanated from somewhere inside the body of the locomotive as its engine ground to a halt.
"Damnit!" Fuya cursed. "We could've had him there. If that boost had worked, we could've wiped out his Number and-"
"Are you stupid?" Anna interrupted, facing him with her hands on her hips. "Even if that effect had gone through, Numbers can only be destroyed by other Numbers. The worst I could've done with a straight attack is put a dent in his Life Points."
Fuya blinked. "Oh... right, yeah..."
"It doesn't make a difference anyway," Anna said, turning back to Mizael and grinning. "I have bigger plans for my grand charge. Like I said, my Runaway Deck can't be stopped! Level ten Night Express Knight and Derricrane, Overlay!" Her remaining two monsters mimicked the first two, shooting up into the sky as another red spiral portal materialised, this one further back. "I use these two monsters to construct the Overlay Network!" The two Xyz Materials flew into the portal, which erupted with light. "Xyz Summon! Appear, Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max!" From out of the portal, a second giant train trundled onto the field, stopping just behind the first.
Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max: Machine-Type/Xyz/EARTH/Rank 10/ATK 3000/DEF 3000 – 2 OLU
"Two Rank ten Xyz Monsters..." Mizael said quietly, trying not to let the tone of his voice betray his trepidation.
"I activate the newly Summoned Gustav Max's effect! By detaching one Overlay Unit, this card can deal you an instant 2000 points of damage." An orange orb was absorbed into the top of the train.
Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max: 2 → 1 OLU
"2000?!" Mizael hissed. "That's a powerful Xyz... however, that effect will not connect! Have you forgotten about my Tachyon Flare Wing? Any of your Xyz Monster's effects will automatically be negated." Once again the wings let off a bright flash, disabling the second locomotive before it could deal its damage.
"No..." Fuya said, his fist clenched. "We're trapped. We can't do anything..."
"Can't we?"
"Huh?" Now Fuya was surprised. Anna, despite everything, was still staring Mizael down as if she didn't have a fear in the world. And was still smiling.
"You didn't think I'd forget about Tachyon Flare Wing's effect so easily, did you?" She waggled a finger at Mizael. "For shame, Goldilocks. And after you hit the nail on the head so perfectly earlier."
Mizael scowled. "What are you talking about, girl?"
Laughing, Anna continued. "Remember how you said Trolley Olley's effect could be negated because it activated through a monster on the field rather than in the Graveyard? Well, that's the answer. That's the loophole in your Xyz-blocking strategy. Using effects that aren't on the field... or effects other than Xyz Monster effects. And luckily, this effect is both!" She raised a hand. "I activate the detached Derricrane's effect! When detached to activate an Xyz Monster's effect, I can destroy any card on the field!"
"What?!" Mizael gasped.
"That's it!" Fuya shouted. "That's brilliant!"
Anna pointed across the switchyard. "Be gone, Tachyon Dragon!" A ghostly moving image of Derricrane appeared on the tracks, passing through the two Gustav Max's and heading straight for Mizael's dragon at a ludicrous speed.
"Gah... Tachyon Flare Wing's other effect activates!" the Barian said desperately. "By destroying this card, the equipped monster is protected from one instance of destruction!"
The wings dissipated, the light particles that had formed them reshaping themselves into a barrier around Tachyon Dragon. A second later, Derricrane smashed into it, demolishing both itself and the shield, but leaving the Number it had protected unharmed.
"Ha!" Anna barked with laughter as the smoke cleared. "I nearly had you there! Sweating a little yet?"
Mizael's fist shook. "Insolent girl..."
"There's more!" she went on. "With Tachyon Flare Wing gone, my Xyz Monsters are free from its effect. As such, I'll now use my second Gustav Max's effect! By using an Overlay Unit, I can slam you with 2000 points of damage!" The monster in front, still sitting on the rotary track, absorbed one of its own Overlay Units.
Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max: 2 → 1 OLU
Then, the monster began to change. The square segments that made up the green cube all parted and moved away, revealing two things within it. One was a red piece of metal that half resembled a face, and that extended out of the top of the machine. The other, more significantly, was a huge metal cannon that moved down until it was pointing squarely at Mizael. It extended until it was three times its original length, and began charging power for its blast.
"Trap Card, open!" Mizael declared desperately. "Prevent Draw! This card halves any effect damage I would receive!" The Trap activated, shrouding him in a barrier.
"Whatever!" Anna snapped. "That's still 1000 damage! Gustav Max, ready to fire! Big Cannon!"
A blast of blue energy launched from the end of the cannon at that very moment. It took less than a second to hit Mizael, who howled in pain and was thrown back by the force of it, landing heavily on a track several feet away.
Mizael LP: 3800 → 2800
Anna sighed. "Well, it could've been worse, I guess."
"Things seldom work out quite the way you want them to," Fuya agreed. "But hey, you just took out 1000 of his Life Points and two of his Set cards."
"I guess..." Anna glanced up at the sky, still shrouded in a dark red shroud. "It all adds up. And besides, every second he prolongs his defeat is another second Yuma has to escape..."
Mizael struggled back to his feet, glaring at the pair of them.
That was close… he thought. If I had allowed her move to go as planned, I would have taken that effect twice at full power, plus two direct attacks after Tachyon Dragon was destroyed. That's a total of 10000 damage… He shook his head in disbelief. Just what is this human…?
"Oh Goldilocks, you're still conscious!" Anna said with a cheeky smile.
"Shut up," he snarled, reaching for his Deck. "Due to Prevent Draw's effect, I now draw one card."
"Good for you," Anna replied as he drew. "But you'll have a bit of a wait to use it, since my turn's still not over. I move to battle!"
Mizael's eyes widened. "Battle?"
"Go, Gustav Max! Attack Fuya directly!" With much grinding and clunking, the turntable rotated around until Gustav Max was pointing at the astonished hero.
"Wait, what?" he gasped. "Why me?"
A burst of steam shot from the vehicles used to transport Gustav Max, and as one, the gigantic monster began to trundle towards Fuya. He looked up fearfully as the behemoth bared down on him.
"Have you gone mad, girl?" Mizael cried.
"What's wrong?" Anna called. "Aren't you going to defend yourself, hero? Aren't you going to respond with anything?"
Fuya frowned. "Respond... hero..." Then, his face lit up with realisation. "That's it! From my Graveyard, I activate the effect of D.D. Esper Star Sparrow! When a direct attack is declared, this card can immediately jump out of the Graveyard and onto the field! Come, D.D. Esper Star Sparrow!" A purple resurrection circle opened up on his field, and from it, his namesake monster leapt out and somersaulted to his side.
D.D. Esper Star Sparrow: Warrior-Type/LIGHT/Level 10/ATK 3000/DEF 1500
"That's the way!" Anna grinned. "I call a replay, and halt Gustav Max's attack!" The rail cannon – which was now almost on top of Fuya – ground to a halt, then began to reverse back to the turntable. "Turn end."
Mizael stared in disbelief. First the Switchyard protection combo, now this? What's going on…?
Fuya was likewise baffled. She analysed my monster's effect in an instant, and used the rules of a Battle Royal to let me Summon it easily. Where did she learn Tag Team strategy like this…?
"Well?" Anna snapped. "C'mon, it's your turn already!"
"A- alright! My turn, draw!" Fuya drew with gusto. "Anna, I won't let your help go to waste. I activate the Spell Card, Space Ration! If I control Esper Star Sparrow, I can use this to draw two more times." A wide grin spread across his face as he beheld his new cards. "Yes! And now, Sparrow will call on another member of his family! I Tribute Star Sparrow!"
"Tribute?!" Anna gasped as the monster dissipated.
"By doing so, I can Tribute Summon this! Appear, Phoenix Beast Gairuda!" A phoenix clad in golden armour materialised where the hero had stood moments before.
Phoenix Beast Gairuda: Winged Beast-Type/WIND/Level 6/ATK 2500/DEF 1200
"Hey, that monster's weaker than Star Sparrow!" Anna cried. "I gave up my Battle Phase to give you a powerful monster, not Tribute fodder!"
"When Sparrow would leave the field after being Summoned by its own effect, it gets banished instead," Fuya explained calmly. "However, Sparrow is the great transdimensional hero. He may leave for other dimensions, but while there is injustice left behind, he'll never be gone for long! I activate the Equip Spell Card, D.D.R. – Different Dimension Reincarnation!" The Spell appeared on his field. "By discarding one card, I can bring any of my banished monsters back to the field. I discard another copy of Star Sparrow."
Mizael narrowed his eyes as he watched the card enter the Graveyard.
"Return to us from beyond dimensions! D.D. Esper Star Sparrow!" The black-skinned warrior took to the field once more, cracking his whip.
D.D. Esper Star Sparrow: Warrior-Type/LIGHT/Level 10/ATK 3000/DEF 1500
"Next, I activate the Spell Card, Water of Life! This lets me bring another monster back, this time from my Graveyard! Return, Beast-Warrior Puma!" The anthropomorphic puma appeared alongside its comrades.
Beast-Warrior Puma: Beast-Warrior-Type/LIGHT/Level 4/ATK 1600/DEF 1000
"So now you have three monsters, none of which can match Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon," Mizael scoffed. "You can't even use them as Xyz Materials since they all have different Levels."
Fuya grinned. "Are you sure about that?"
"Hmm?"
"I activate the Spell Card, Galaxy Queen Light!" As the Spell materialised, Sparrow cracked its whip once more, the sound reverberating around the switchyard. The card then let off a sparkling flash of light that suffused all of his monsters. "With this, all my monsters will have their Levels changed to equal Star Sparrow's Level! Mother of the galaxies, please grant power to my heroes!"
Phoenix Beast Gairuda: Level 6 → 10
Beast-Warrior Puma: Level 4 → 10
"Level ten Robin, Gairuda and Puma, Overlay!" The family of monsters flew up into the sky, and into a bright, galaxy-like portal. "I use these three monsters to construct the Overlay Network!" The portal exploded. "Appear, Superdimensional Robot Galaxy Destroyer!" From out of the maelstrom of light, a giant blue robot descended. Its body was bulky and made from cubic segments, not unlike a toy robot. It had deep blue wings eclipsing most of what was visible behind it, and in size, it stood almost as tall as Gustav Max.
Superdimensional Robot Galaxy Destroyer: Machine-Type/Xyz/LIGHT/Rank 10/ATK 5000/DEF 2000 – 3 OLU
"Galaxy Destroyer..." Mizael muttered.
"Correct!" Fuya replied. "Looks like you're catching on. If you're going to fight us with your Galaxy monsters, then my Galaxy Destroyer will do as his name suggests and pulverise every last one of them. You will rue the day that you dared to declare yourself an enemy of Yuma, and an enemy of just-"
"Trap Card, open! Neutrino Dowsing!"
"What?" Fuya gasped as the Trap activated.
"When my opponent Summons an Xyz Monster, I can detach an Overlay Unit from a Galaxy-Eyes Xyz Monster to activate this card." The last remaining yellow orb broke orbit, and was absorbed into the Trap.
Number 107: Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon: 1 → 0 OLU
Fuya's hand tensed as he glanced at his Set card, but he didn't activate it, deciding instead to wait and see.
"Then, by sending one Normal Spell Card from my Deck to the Graveyard," Mizael was saying, "Neutrino Dowsing will copy that card's effect, and activate it immediately!"
"What?!" Fuya gasped. "But then, he can use anything! Dark Hole, Raigeki..."
"Barian's Force..." whispered Anna.
"Barian's what?"
"It's something someone used against me a while back," she explained. "This guy's a Barian, so he might be using it too. And if he is, we're in for a tough duel."
Mizael shook his head. "Don't worry. I wouldn't use a Rank-Up-Magic on your worms." He glanced at his hand. And I've had plenty of opportunity to do so already…
"Well what then?" Anna asked.
"The card I'm choosing to send is this," Mizael said, taking a card from his Deck and showing them before sending it to his Graveyard. "Monster Reborn! With it, I call your so-called 'hero of justice' to my field."
Fuya's eyes widened. "No..."
"Appear, D.D. Esper Star Sparrow!" Another resurrection ring appeared on Mizael's field, and just as it had done for Fuya earlier, Star Sparrow leapt from it and took up position on the Barian's side.
D.D. Esper Star Sparrow: Warrior-Type/LIGHT/Level 10/ATK 3000/DEF 1500
"Girl, you weren't the only one who took note of this monster," Mizael said. "I was interested in its self-sacrificing effect that protects my other monsters from being the targets of attacks or card effects. Which means," he added, turning back to Fuya, "that Galaxy Destroyer's 5000 ATK can't be used against Tachyon Dragon, and will instead be wasted attacking a monster in Defence Position."
"How dare you..."
"Hmm?"
Fuya's eyes glared furiously at the Barian, his clenched fist shaking with rage. "How dare you turn our hero of justice into your meat shield...? You'll pay for this! Galaxy Destroyer, attack Esper Star Sparrow!"
The robot held out its hands and, out of thin air, materialised a giant laser blaster. After a short period of charging, Galaxy Destroyer let loose a ray of cosmic energy that consumed and utterly annihilated the hero.
"Forgive me, Star Sparroooooooooow!" Fuya cried dramatically.
"Calm down Fuya," Anna called.
"No matter what, I will avenge you!" Fuya went on, ignoring her. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell, Galaxy Storm!"
"What?!" Mizael gasped as the boy's face-down card activated.
Fuya cracked a grin. "With this, I can destroy any Xyz Monsters on the field that have no Overlay Units. Be gone, foul dragon!"
Almost immediately, Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon dragon was lost in a mighty explosion. It gave one last shrieking howl as its body was dissolved by the galactic blast, before disappearing completely, leaving Mizael's field utterly bare.
"Tachyon Dragon!" Mizael cried, distraught.
"Doesn't feel too good, does it?" Fuya shot at him. "I place one card face-down and end my turn."
Mizael said nothing. He didn't turn around. He didn't even make any attempt to start his turn.
"What's wrong?" Anna called. "Anytime today, Goldilocks!"
"Heh," Fuya laughed. "Guess that was a bit mean of me. Looks like I broke his spirit a little... he must've really loved that card."
At that, Mizael spun around. His eyes were glowing red and burning with utter fury. The two young duelists flinched at the sight of it.
"You... I'll show you broken spirits!" Mizael snarled. "My turn, draw! If my opponent controls an Xyz Monster, I can Special Summon this card from my hand as a Level eight monster! Appear, Radius, the Half-Moon Dragon!" In a flash of light, a purple dragon with what appeared to be moon segments attached to its arms appeared.
Radius, the Half-Moon Dragon: Dragon-Type/LIGHT/Level 4 → 8/ATK 1400/DEF 1200
"Then I Normal Summon Parsec, the Interstellar Dragon!" A spindly, almost spider-like dragon materialised next to it.
Parsec, the Interstellar Dragon: Dragon-Type/LIGHT/Level 8/ATK 800/DEF 800
"If I control a Level eight monster, this card can be Normal Summoned without a Tribute," Mizael explained.
"Two Level eight monsters..." Anna breathed. "Another Xyz Summon?"
"Yes and no," the Barian said, taking another card from his hand. The red glow hadn't faded from his eyes, nor had the murderous expression. "I said I wouldn't be using a Rank-Up-Magic against you, and I meant it. However, that doesn't mean you won't see a Rank Up, figuratively speaking. Appear, Holeum, the Shadowbound Dragon!" A third dragon appeared between the first two. It was a wyvern-shaped creature, made up of shadows that rippled and billowed like smoke, and with a single purple eye lodged in its chest.
Holeum, the Shadowbound Dragon: Dragon-Type/DARK/Level 9/ATK 2200/DEF 1000
"Holeum can be Special Summoned from my hand if I control a Dragon, but my opponent controls more monsters than me. Additionally, when I do, its effect activates!" The eye began glowing, just as Mizael's was. The same shadowy shroud that covered Holeum began extending, enveloping both Radius and Parsec.
"What's happening?" Anna breathed.
Mizael pointed towards Holeum. "When Holeum is Summoned, all Level eight Dragon-Type monsters with 2000 or less ATK gain one Level."
Radius, the Half-Moon Dragon: Level 8 → 9
Parsec, the Interstellar Dragon: Level 8 → 9
"Then, I draw one card for each monster affected by this effect. Radius and Parsec make two, so I draw two cards!" Mizael drew quickly – he had no time to waste. "And now, Level nine Radius, Parsec and Holeum, Overlay!" The three monsters morphed into energy signatures – one purple, two yellow – which soared upwards, and into a galaxy portal that had opened up in the sky. "I use these three monsters to construct the Overlay Network!" The portal exploded, filling the sky with a dark, yet piercing light. Power filling the galaxies... when the ruler has exhausted his body and spirit, his soul will curse the world! Xyz Summon! Come forth, Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon!"
A pale blue number ninety-five flashed across the field as, from the portal, a spiral cloud of shadowy energy erupted and poured down, creating a column behind Mizael. The higher section of the shadows then began to reshape, reforming themselves into different draconian features. Vicious-looking clawed hands attached to wispy, insubstantial arms. Black wings, each with five sharp points. A smooth chest plate with the dragon's number emblazoned across it, hemmed in either side by spikes. And a gaping maw that filled the air with a deep, bellowing howl that seemed to echo with a thousand moans of agony, whilst its yellow, soulless eyes glared down at the field. The bottom half of the dragon had not formed, leaving it suspended in the air atop of a swirling spiral of shadowy fog like a great, dragonic spectre. In place of Overlay Units, three pale ghosts traced slow and irregular circles around the dragon, their faces stretched wide in a never-ending scream of torment.
Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon: Dragon-Type/Xyz/DARK/Rank 9/ATK 0/DEF 0 – 3 OLU
Custom Cards:
Holeum, the Shadowbound Dragon
Dragon-Type/DARK/Level 9/ATK 2200/DEF 1000
If you control a face-up Dragon-Type monster(s) and your opponent controls more monsters than you do, you can Special Summon this card (from your hand). When you do: All face-up Level 8 Dragon-Type monsters with 2000 or less ATK you currently control become Level 9, then draw 1 card for each one. If this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard: You can add 1 "Hidden Armory", "Overhaul", "Stronghold the Moving Fortress" or "Metalhold the Moving Citadel", or 1 "Hole" Spell/Trap Card, from your Deck to your hand.
Author Note #4: Because they're all a part of the Hole archetype. That's why.
Author Note #5: Half the fun of these Extra episodes is getting to fill in the Decks and Extra Decks of some characters. With the Barian Lords, this includes giving them some Numbers that they were never shown to have in the anime, but ones where there's no reason why they couldn't have them, as the writers pretty much stopped showing Numbers being passed from hand to hand halfway through ZEXAL. We debated for a long time whether to give Mizael 95, as it played a relatively prominent role in the manga. In the end we decided to let him give it a whirl, as there's no anime reason he couldn't have it, it fits his ideals, and it lets us expand on his Deck a little. Of course, this means we'll be using its manga effect as opposed to its OCG effect - so your homework for next chapter is to learn its effects.
Author Note #6: One of the things I love about Anna is that she is one of the few female characters that uses a Deck that isn't entirely based around the fact that she's a girl. For once, it's just a Deck. I mean, they must have realised this come ARC-V and sought to fix it as best they could by taking the Deck away and giving it to Allen, whilst Sayaka by contrast got fairies and/or cheerleaders. But hey, it was good while it lasted.
Author Note #7: Water of Life... the duel writer's dream for when you need all the Monster Reborns.
Author Note #8: At the point where Fuya uses D.D.R. to bring back Sparrow, we desperately wanted to use Galaxy Journey instead (because it fits Fuya's Deck so nicely), but we needed a realistic way to get another Star Sparrow into Fuya's Graveyard for Mizael's Neutrino Dowsing move. We could've used Foolish Burial or the like, but that didn't quite work, and we couldn't find a card that could revive Puma at the cost of a discard, so we were forced to abandon the idea. Cost Down would've worked equally well, but we preferred D.D.R. for Fuya.