Mizael LP: 2800
Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon: Dragon-Type/Xyz/DARK/Rank 9/ATK 0/DEF 0 – 3 OLU
Anna LP: 3400
Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max: Machine-Type/Xyz/EARTH/Rank 10/ATK 3000/DEF 3000 – 1 OLU
Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max: Machine-Type/Xyz/EARTH/Rank 10/ATK 3000/DEF 3000 – 1 OLU
Field Zone: Revolving Switchyard
Fuya LP: 4000
Superdimensional Robot Galaxy Destroyer: Machine-Type/Xyz/LIGHT/Rank 10/ATK 5000/DEF 2000 – 3 OLU
Spell & Trap Zone: 1 Set card
"Another Number..." Anna breathed.
Fuya whimpered slightly. He couldn't help it. Hero of justice may have been his full time occupation, but it wasn't his normal persona – and the beast that now towered above him was simply terrifying.
"Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon's effect activates," Mizael said quietly, the crimson glow of his eyes fading. "When Xyz Summoned, the total ATK of its Xyz Materials are used to calculate its own ATK. With Parsec's 800, Radius' 1400 and Holeum's 2200, the total is 4400. Therefore..." The rest of his sentence was drowned as the dragon behind him gave a deep, almost hollow-sounding howl.
Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon: ATK 0 → 4400
"An ATK of 4400!" Fuya gasped. "It's nearly as strong as Galaxy Destroyer!"
Mizael's eyes narrowed. "And that's not all. Upon Summoning, another of Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon's effects will activate. With it, by banishing any number of Dragon-Type monsters from my Deck, I can force each of you curs to banish the same number of Monster Cards from your Decks!"
"What?" Anna cried.
"I banish these from my Deck!" Mizael said, holding up a handful of cards for them to see. "Two Parsec, one Radius, two Heliosphere, two Schwarzschild, two Holeum and two Cloudragon! That's eleven cards total – every Dragon left in my Deck!"
"You're banishing all those? Why?" Fuya asked, pulling his Deck from his Duel Disk. Next to him, Anna did likewise.
Mizael chuckled. "For a simple reason. To obliterate the feeble hope that you humans cling to in your Decks." More importantly though, he thought, is eliminating as many of that girl's Machine's as possible, to reduce the chance of Revolving Switchyard being used. With it, she has a much greater chance of Summoning more copies of Gustav Max, which are tricky to defend against. Not that she'll be surviving beyond this turn, but still… it pays to exercise some caution.
Across from him, Anna was examining her Deck, her mind filled with much the same thoughts as Mizael.
I have to lose eleven monsters… that's practically all of them! she stressed, mentally counting her cards. I have twelve left, so I only get to keep one. But which? I have these two cards in my hand… and I still have Revolving Switchyard for now. I have to make the best decision for my upcoming turn…
"Alright," she said finally, selecting the last few cards she needed. "Here they are. One Rocket Arrow, two Hustle Rustle, two Ruffian Railcar, two Night Express Knight, two Trolley Olley, one Derricrane and one Signal Red. Eleven cards for the hungry dragon."
"And here's my selection," Fuya added, holding up his own. "Eleven monsters as requested. Three Trion, one Galaxy Wizard, two Puma, two Gairuda, two Iron Hammer and one Iron Phoenix. Satisfied?"
"Satisfied?" Mizael repeated. Anna and Fuya's card offerings burst into a cloud of shadowy vapour. "I won't be satisfied until this encounter is behind me and forgotten. For that, you two need to disappear!"
"Here it comes!" Fuya cried worriedly.
"Oh stop panicking!" Anna snapped. "Why would he attack you? My Gustav Maxes are much more of a danger to him – plus his monster can actually contend with them. Stop being such a baby! Really, some hero of justice you-"
"Battle!" Mizael called, cutting her off. "Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon, attack Gustav Max! Dark Matter Stream of Ruin!"
The dragon drew up to its full height and, within its perpetually gaping mouth, began to charge a sphere of shadowy energy. A strange cackling filled the air as Dark Matter Dragon's spectral Overlay Units began to laugh, revelling in the agony that was about to take place.
"Now or never then..." muttered Fuya, steeling himself before acting. "Trap Card, open! Someone to Protect!" His face-down card activated. "This card changes your attack target to one of my monsters."
"One of your monsters?!" Mizael and Anna repeated together.
"Going after the little guys, ducking and diving under the supreme power of justice..." Fuya said. "People like you are despicable! You're bullies – nothing more, nothing less. Well that ends here. You can't hide from my banquet of justice!"
Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon whipped its head around and fired a stream of shadowy fire at the colossal robot opposite it. Galaxy Destroyer responded almost immediately, drawing its fist back and then driving it forwards, as though to punch the flames away. The resulting explosion from the attacks' collision rocked the building, and the duelists struggled to stay on their feet. The dragon gave another howl as the pulse of the explosion struck it.
Mizael covered his head. "Even though your monster's stronger," he growled, "Numbers can only be destroyed by other Numbers."
"Even so, you still take damage!" Fuya shot back. Mizael grunted as the shockwaves pushed him back.
Mizael LP: 2800 → 2200
"Just a little more," Fuya said, grinning. "If we can bring him down below 2000 Life Points, it'll only take one Gustav Max to wipe him out."
"Hey, good thinking," Anna replied. "But it may not come to that. Hell, at this rate, both of my Gustav Maxes will survive. You're not as bad as I thought, ESPer Robin."
"Like I said, call me Fuya," the boy said.
Above them, the power struggle had subsided. Dark Matter Dragon's black flames had been extinguished by the blast, and both monsters were now watching each other carefully. Wisps of dark energy rose up from the dragon's mouth like smoke. It's yellow, soulless eyes stared out at the monster that had dared to stand against it.
Silence prevailed on the field for a moment. The human duelists watched as Mizael straightened up and dusted himself off. Surely, they thought, they were in the clear now. Mizael had no more monsters to attack with. His dragon was powerless. And, most importantly, both of Anna's Gustav Maxes were still intact. On their next turn, Mizael would be history, and there was nothing he could do about it.
The comforting illusion lasted only seconds.
"Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon's effect activates!" Mizael snarled, his voice dripping with venom. "After it attacks, I can detach one of its Overlay Units to have it attack again!" The dragon lunged forward, snapping one of the spectres out of the air.
Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon: 3 → 2 OLU
"Consecutive attacks..." Fuya breathed, his smile fading fast.
"But then... it can attack three more times!" Anna gasped.
"Burn, you insolent girl!" Mizael cried. "Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon, attack Gustav Max once again! Dark Matter Stream of Ruin!" The dragon opened its mouth and, quick as a flash, launched a second attack. This time, the shadowy blaze shot uninterrupted across the field and struck one of Anna's rail cannons, consuming it in seconds. Anna herself screamed as the blast struck her as well.
Anna LP: 3400 → 2000
"Anna!" Fuya cried, distraught.
"Continue on!" Mizael declared. "I use another Overlay Unit to let Dark Matter Dragon attack again!" As the inferno burnt itself out, the dragon drew in another phantasmal Overlay Unit and chomped down on it.
Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon: 2 → 1 OLU
"Attack the other Gustav Max! Dark Matter Stream of Ruin!" Just as quickly, the second machine went up in flames. This time, Anna was blown back by the force of the attack, collapsing in a heap a few feet away.
Anna LP: 2000 → 600
"One more..." Mizael snarled, as above him, Dark Matter Dragon consumed its last remaining Overlay Unit.
Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon: 1 → 0 OLU
"Anna! Anna!" Fuya howled. "Anna, please tell me you're alright!"
"I- I'm fine..." Anna's voice was pained, and it was a struggle for her just to push herself into an upright position. "Fuya... please, listen to me..."
"What is it?"
Anna stared up at the dragon, the sphere of energy gathering between its jaws reflected in her eyes. "This next one will be a direct attack- no, just listen. Remember your Star Sparrow's effect."
"W- what?"
"Its effect that triggers in the Graveyard can be used in response to any direct attack from an opponent's monster. It doesn't have to be directed at you. When he declares the direct attack, use that effect. Get another hero by your side. You may need it."
Fuya shook his head. "Anna... please don't-"
"Just do it, you moron!"
"Have you two finished your goodbyes?" Mizael said, before Fuya could interrupt again. "Go, Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon, attack her directly! Dark Matter Stream of Ruin!"
Fuya clutched his head frantically, furious that he couldn't do anything to stop this.
"Oi, Fuya!" Anna snapped, trying to stand back up. "Don't blow this opportunity!"
Gritting his teeth and closing his eyes, Fuya finally obeyed. "I activate Esper Star Sparrow's effect, reviving it in response to your attack!" From a resurrection ring that appeared on his field, the black-clad hero emerged once more.
D.D. Esper Star Sparrow: Warrior-Type/LIGHT/Level 10/ATK 3000/DEF 1500
"That changes nothing!" Mizael cried. "My attack will still target the girl!"
The dragon fired. The attack shot straight down to Anna, who was almost immediately lost in yet another explosion. The floor beneath them shook – betraying the fact that they were still on a questionably strong rooftop – and Fuya covered his face as he was nearly blown off of the building by the force of the blast, his frantic screams for Anna drowned out by the explosion.
"An unfortunate end to a remarkably talented duelist," Mizael mused, brushing hair out of his eyes as he waited for the smoke to clear.
"You..." Fuya whipped around to face him. "How could you do that?! She was just trying to protect Yuma!"
"Yuma is our prey," Mizael replied simply. "Those who stand in our way cannot be shown mercy when the fate of our world hangs in the balance. Still, to push me this far with such an unorthodox strategy... I underestimated her more than I should have."
"You sure did!"
Mizael's eyes widened in shock. Staring through the smoke, he caught a glimpse of the girl he'd just sent to her grave... standing. She was upright, grinning at him as though nothing had happened, with her Life Points completely unchanged. In addition, there was a new monster on her field – a bright orange train adorned with red flashing lights.
Construction Train Signal Red: Machine-Type/EARTH/Level 3/ATK 1000/DEF 1300
"Anna!" Fuya cried joyfully.
"What's this...?" Mizael asked, perplexed.
"Fuya wasn't the only one with a monster effect that could respond to attacks," Anna explained. "You see, when that attack was declared, I activated the effect of Construction Train Signal Red in my hand. It immediately Summons itself, and becomes the new attack target. Oh, and it also can't be destroyed by this battle."
"Brilliant!" Fuya said. "We blocked all his attacks!"
"We?" Anna repeated. "I think you'll find I did most of the absorbing attacks."
"Yeah... well..."
"Oh, by the way Goldilocks," she added in a raised voice. "In case you're wondering why I waited so long to use Signal Red's effect, it's because letting you believe you'd taken me down and then snatching that hope away from you... well, that's a lot of fun."
"Are... you insulting me?" Mizael snarled.
Anna giggled. "Maybe..."
Mizael's fist clenched.
"But in all seriousness, there's another reason," she went on, her smile fading. "You want to get to Yuma. I don't know why. But I do know that you want to hurt him, and that's something I won't allow. My move just now was meant to show you the extent of my feelings – no matter what I have to do, I won't let you have Yuma!"
"Agreed!" Fuya piped up, standing up straight and proud. "I have no clue what's going on in our world – I can only assume it's your lot's doing mixed up with some Number shenanigans – but Yuma's the first true friend I've had, and I won't let you hurt him, even if it means my life. He's a good and kind person, and he deserves so much more than this. Why are you lot trying to get him anyway?"
"Why?" Mizael repeated, his clenched fist still shaking. "You want to know why?"
Fuya shrugged. "It doesn't make much difference to me, but knowing will make it easier to understand why we're dueling in the first place."
With a hefty sigh, Mizael allowed himself to relax for a moment as he sought the correct words. "You two... you both think very highly of Yuma. You're both willing to put your life on the line to save him."
"Of course," Anna said immediately.
"Without a doubt," Fuya nodded.
"Then tell me... would you feel the same way if Yuma was trying to destroy this world?"
At this, the two of them were dumbstruck.
"I thought not," Mizael muttered. "You see, there are a number of worlds out there besides this one. Amongst them are the Astral and Barian Worlds, which are at war, with this world caught in the middle. Yuma has allied himself with a being from the Astral World, who is seeking to destroy the Barian World – my world – using the Numbers. By collecting the Numbers, Yuma is aiding in this goal."
"No!" Anna shook her head. "Yuma would never do that!"
"I doubt Yuma even realises he is," Mizael responded. "Or if he does, he thinks he can change Astral's mind... the fool. Astral is hellbent on annihilating our world since he views it as impure, and it has fallen to us – the seven Barian Lords – to rise up and take action to protect our world. No matter what you think of Yuma, he must be stopped if our world is ever to be safe."
"Rubbish!" Anna snapped. "Even if this was true, we're supposed to believe you're the good guys? Righteous warriors trying to protect your homeworld? Don't make me laugh! After what you've done to this world, its people-"
"That was not the Barian Lord's doing-" Mizael began.
"So what's your game plan then?" Fuya interrupted. "Kill Yuma... then what?"
Mizael looked up at the red sky. "Preventing Astral from gathering the Numbers and regaining his memories or powers will protect us for a while. Following that, wiping out the Astral World is our ultimate goal. It's the only way to ensure peace for the Barian World in the long run."
"So if Astral is the pot, that must make you the kettle," Anna chided. The Barian frowned, not understanding the idiom. "You're sick, you know that? Your goal is attacking our friends and wiping out another world of people, and you want us to sympathise with you?"
"I want nothing from you!" Mizael retorted, glaring at her. "You, who stand against me in my noble cause. You, who insult me beyond belief when my only concern is the protection of my world. You, who mock and ridicule and make light of me, a proud warrior of the Barian World! I want nothing from you but your end! "
"Have at it then, Goldilocks!" Anna replied, readying herself. "Let's see whose conviction holds up longer!"
Mizael's eyes narrowed. "No more games, girl... you've pushed me too far!" He took a card from his hand and held it aloft. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card, Rank-Up-Magic Quick Chaos!"
"Rank-Up-what?" Fuya asked. Then, both he and Anna were blinded by a flash of rainbow light that emanated from the card, lighting up the switchyard a fantastic array of colours.
"No!" Anna cried, shielding her eyes. "Not again!"
"This card allows me to Rank Up and Chaosify an Xyz Monster I control, in order to Summon a Chaos Xyz Monster from my Extra Deck that's one Rank higher. I use the Rank nine Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon to reconstruct the Overlay Network!" Behind him, the ghostly dragon morphed into a huge amorphous mass of purple energy, which then shot into the sky and into a great swirling portal that had appeared there. The portal exploded in a dark green blaze of light, which swirled around and extended down to Mizael's field, creating a tornado of shadowy energy. "Chaos Xyz Change! Manifest before us, Chaos Number 95: Neo Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon!"
The pale blue symbol for ninety-five appeared momentarily above them, before shattering and revealing a darker, pulsating version of the number. The shadowy whirlwind began to coalesce and reshape itself, forming into the likeness of another huge dragon, like the previous one, its entire lower half was missing, the behemoth instead being supported in mid-air by the very cyclone of shadows that had helped to create it moments before. Unlike before, however, its body colour was predominantly dark blue, inter-spliced with red where the crimson sea of Chaos energy was visible beneath its body. Additionally, the shape of the beast was totally different. Its original flat chest plate now extended out into a full torso guard, including shoulder and arm armour all the way down to its clawed hands. Its wings were more filled out but still constructed from the same shadowy smoke, making them ripple and waver as they moved like the surface of water. And it was not one, but three heads that now stared down at its human prey, all six of its soulless yellow eyes filled with bloodlust, and all three sets of jaws stretched wide in a howl that seemed to carry like the wind. As for the Overlay Unit sitting in front of it, it resembled a human skull made from yellow crystal, with a globule of dark red energy shifting inside it, visible through its empty eye sockets and open mouth.
Chaos Number 95: Neo Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon: Dragon-Type/Xyz/DARK/Rank 10/ATK 0/DEF 0 – 1 OLU
"Ok... ok... no need to panic," Fuya whimpered, taking an involuntary step back. "Anna, you've dealt with these things before, right? How do we fight it?"
"We don't..."
Fuya blinked. "Huh?"
Anna lowered her duel disk. For once, she seemed just as scared as him. "Last time, I only survived because Yuma was there dueling alongside me. I don't know how to beat these things. Seriously, I haven't a clue..."
"B- but then... what the hell to we do?"
"Battle!" Mizael declared, cutting their conversation short. "Quick Chaos was a Quick-Play Spell I activated during the Battle Phase, so I can still attack. Neo Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon, attack Construction Train Signal Red!"
"You're starting a battle with 0 ATK?!" Fuya exclaimed.
"Battle is a loose term here," Mizael said calmly. Above him, all three gaping maws began to charge a sphere of dark blue energy. "At the start of the Damage Step, Neo Dark Matter's effect activates! I can immediately banish the monster it's battling without damage calculation, and inflict damage to my opponent equal to half its ATK!"
Fuya blanched. Anna braced herself.
"Go! Ultimate Dark Matter Stream!" The dragon brought its heads together, combining the three spheres of light into one giant one. From there, it fired a jet of blue energy across the field which struck Signal Red with the force of a bomb going off. The train was blasted apart in an instant, and Anna was once more knocked off her feet by the force of it. This time, she didn't get up.
Anna LP: 600 → 100
"Anna!" Fuya cried.
There was no response.
"Additionally," Mizael went on, indifferent to the boy's distress, "Neo Dark Matter gains ATK equal to the damage inflicted this way."
Chaos Number 95: Neo Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon: ATK 0 → 500
"Anna... please be ok," Fuya begged.
"You're next, boy!" Mizael roared, drawing Fuya's attention back to him. "Since Neo Dark Matter was Summoned via Rank Up, it can attack all my opponent's monsters once each. I move to attack Esper Star Sparrow! Ultimate Dark Matter Stream!" Quick as a flash, the ferocious dragon whipped around and launched a second attack from the energy sphere that hadn't disappeared.
Fuya gritted his teeth. "Since Esper Star Sparrow was Summoned by its own effect, it banishes itself when it leaves the field! And since this doesn't count as you banishing it, I take no damage, and your dragon doesn't gain any ATK!"
"I'm well aware!" the Barian retorted.
The attack struck home, producing a second explosion that consumed the hero. But even though Fuya covered his face expectantly, he had spoken truly – his Life Points remained untouched. Fuya considered making a quip about Star Sparrow being able to leap dimensions at will, to avoid any attack using its transdimensional powers. Unfortunately, he never got the chance.
"One more monster," Mizael observed. "Neo Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon, attack Superdimensional Robot Galaxy Destroyer! Ultimate Dark Matter Stream!" Another flash of blue light, and suddenly, Fuya's giant robot was consumed by the dragon's attack. Fuya himself screamed in pain and was flung backwards, collapsing next to Anna.
Fuya LP: 4000 → 1500
Chaos Number 95: Neo Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon: ATK 500 → 3000
Mizael shook his head. "The fury of the Barian Lords... that was a foolish thing to incite. You're just humans. You can't be expected to stand up to the power of Chaos. But I won't accept a surrender: you've stood in my way, stained my honour, and insulted me to the heavens and back. I will accept nothing less than a full duel ending in your annihilation!"
"Well... t- that's good..."
Surprised, the Barian watched as the two humans slowly raised their heads to nod at each other, then began the tortuous process of pushing themselves back to their feet.
"We'll never give up..." Fuya muttered, his pain evident in his voice. "Not until Yuma's escaped."
Beside him, and despite everything, Anna was grinning as she struggled to her feet. "We're gonna beat you, Goldilocks," she said. "We're more than the stall-for-time brigade. Somehow, we'll find a way to take you down!"
"I admire your courage, humans," Mizael said. And he meant it. "Your tenacity, too. However, that alone will not help you overcome me." He raised a hand up to the sky. "I activate Neo Dark Matter's other effect! By detaching one of its Overlay Units, I can banish all other cards on the field." The crystalline skull burst into a shower of light particles, which were absorbed into the dragon.
Chaos Number 95: Neo Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon: 1 → 0 OLU
All three heads of Neo Dark Matter then let loose a great, resonating howl that echoed around the switchyard. As it did, the Field Spell began to disappear. The garages, the turntable, the fog lights... all of them seemed to be evapourating, blowing away like smoke under the force of the dragon's roar until the three duelists were once more standing on a rooftop in the middle of the city.
"No..." Anna murmured.
"I know you didn't banish all your monsters when Dark Matter was Summoned, girl," Mizael said. "I've had enough of that Field Spell. If you want to show me the strength of the human spirit, you can do it without that card from now on. Turn end!"
Custom Cards:
Chaos Number 95: Neo Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon
Dragon-Type/Xyz/DARK/Rank 10/ATK 0/DEF 0
4 Level 10 monsters
This card cannot be destroyed by battle, except by a "Number" monster. This card cannot be destroyed by card effects. At the start of the Damage Step, if this card battles a monster: You can banish that monster, and if you do, inflict damage to your opponent equal to half its original ATK, also this card gains an equal amount of ATK. If this card is Xyz Summoned by Ranking Up "Number 95: Galaxy-Eyes Dark Matter Dragon", it gains these effects. ●This card can attack all monsters your opponent controls once each. ●Once per turn: You can detach 1 Overlay Unit from this card; banish all cards from each player's Graveyard OR all other cards on the field.
Author Note #9: Because Dark Matter Dragon doesn't have that restriction in the manga. That's how.
Author Note #10: At least four gold medals to anyone who can explain what on earth was going on with Dark Matter's effect in the manga.
Author Note #11: Dear lord, Neo Dark Matter's effects were a pain. We went through nine different variations on its effects before settling on the current ones. They're not as refined as we'd like, but they work well enough, and I think they fit the monster quite nicely.
Author Note #12: The interaction between Neo Dark Matter and Esper Star Sparrow's effects that we had Fuya speak about follow similar rulings from things like Battle Fader. When a monster under these conditions leaves the field (no matter how it does so), it's treated as being banished by its own effect. So even if you use Interdimensional Matter Transporter to banish them, although the net result is the same either way (the monster is banished), they won't return to the field. Weird thing, this card game.
Author Note #13: I'm afraid we've taken a bit of artistic liberty with the time frames in the Barian Invasion duels. If the anime is to be believed, those duels all started at exactly the same time, and took up roughly half an Episode to get to the point where they all perform Barian's Chaos Draw. To me, this doesn't make sense. I find it hard to believe that Mizael would run into Anna and Fuya, and they would just stand there chatting for the time it takes the protagonists to drive to the school, drop off Tetsuo in time for Merag to get there, drive to another part of the city, encounter Nasch, drop of IV, have IV natter with Nasch for a while, and only then start dueling. Even with the extended dialogue we created before this duel began, I just can't think it logical that they would have waited that long. As such, our headcannon is that the duels actually start and end at different times. So the duels we write will be longer than Nasch's up to the point where everyone BCDs, after which they'll be a lot shorter (the Summoning of the C10Xs will mark the final turn). This also gives us plenty of chance to explore everyone's Decks in more detail before the pitiful humans get Number C10Xed to death.