Chapter 4: Nightmare (Part 1)
In perfect tandem, Adonis and Selene began their battle of destiny with one simple word:
"Duel!"
Adonis: LP: 4000
Selene: LP: 4000
With the signature cold and uncaring nature that all Fal'Cie seemed to possess, Adonis pridefully announced, "I'll take the first move. Draw!"
He didn't hesitate in making his move.
"I summon the Crystality Wingshard."
The summoned monster had a weird appearance, not typical for any model of common monsters: entirely made of crystal with a blueish hue, it was in fact a flying chunk of shining rock supported by a pair of crystal wings. The only notable feature on it was a marble-white human face between the wings, resembling a silent theatrical mask. It also had a pair of very tiny, rudimentary arms swinging beneath this face. ATK: 900/ LV3
"Crystality?" Selene wondered. She figured it was related to what happened to L'Cie who do fulfill their Focus-they became crystal.
Adonis pulled out a card from his hand.
"Next, I will activate the Continuous Spell card, Crystal Destiny."
The scene on that card he played was almost reminiscencing to the observing l'Cie: it was depicting an unfortunate man trying to grasp for the light, when it was actually been sucked into a vortex of crystal shards. Lightning wanted to punch something after recalling the horrifying memory of her own sister being turned to crystal, and Snow was the same, for he was promised to Serah.
"This card's effect is that, once per turn, when a Crystality monster is destroyed, I can draw a card, and if that card is a Crystality monster, it can be Special summoned. (sets a card) I set a card face-down, and end my turn like this." Adonis said coldly.
"A weak monster, and a Continuous Spell… I see, this won't be so difficult. My turn, draw!" Selene said, recounting what just happened, and drawing.
"I summon Lunar Lancehead!"
Selene summoned another weird-looking monster: this one was a golden mech of sorts, with a huge moon-shaped head with a large grin on an otherwise star-shaped body, and the face was so large it overtook the greatest part of its torso. It was holding a large lance and a shield with its otherwise tiny hands. ATK: 1600/LV4
"At this point, Lancehead's effect will activate: when this card is Normal summoned, and I control no other monsters, it increases its Attack points by 500 and its level by 1." She explained, as required by the laws of Dueling.
With a golden aura surrounding it, Lancehead's body suddenly doubled in size as its stats increased.
Lunar Lancehead: ATK: 1600… 2100/ LV4… LV5
Meanwhile, Selene picked a card from her hand, and smiled confidently at her opponent.
INTRODUCTION: Innocent Starter by Nana Mizuki
Hiza wo kakaete Heya no katasumi
(Hope is sitting in a corner, his knees curled up to his chest.)
Itsumo fuan de Furueteita
(Sazh's chocobo chick flies down to his shoulder, and gives him a gentle peck. He looks up, and smiles.)
"Hontou" wo shiru koto ga kowakute TOBIRA wo tojita
(Cut to Hope alongside the rest of the L'Cie. Selene is standing away from them, glaring at them.)
Yasashii uso ni Ibasho mitsukete
(Selene looks to the moon, her hand over her heart.)
Yume no naka ni nige konda
(She prepares to fight Lightning and her friends.)
Dare mo shiranai Kodoku no umi wo
(Lightning draws her Blazefire Saber, and charges to Selene.)
Fukai ao ni someteku
(Cut to a shot of Selene standing on water, eyes closed, her hand closed over her heart. The water is slightly disturbed by Selene standing over it, and it ripples faintly.)
Sabishisa kakusu Ichizu na omoi
(Cut to the group fighting a Fal'Cie. Selene is standing on a nearby pillar.)
Kimi no KOKORO wo kizutsukete iru
(Selene blasts the Fal'Cie with her magic. Vanille turns to face her and smiles.)
Hitomi no oku no himitsu
(The camera pans into Selene's eye as a tear falls from it.)
Suikomare sou na
(She looks towards the sky, everyone at her side.)
Egao no ura no shinjitsu ni
(Cut to a shot of Lightning and Selene standing back to back, with shots of their faces behind each of them. Lightning's face is as cold as usual, and Selene mirrors it.)
Yawaraka na ai
(Sazh's Chocobo chick comes to rest on Selene's shoulder, and she looks at it with some degree of wonder.)
Boku ga todoke ni yuku yo
(She slightly smiles, and she releases the Chocobo.)
Furetara koware sou na
(Cut to repeated shadowed flashbacks of what appear to be battles.)
Nukumori ga ima
(Show that some of the warriors are L'Cie and Fal'Cie, and show the Lunarian brands.)
Kako wo hanare afuredasu
(The flashbacks disappear in a wind, and Selene's face shows determination.)
Zutto soba ni iru kara
(The rest of the group walks up and joins her. Sazh's chocobo chick flies and rests on her her shoulder.)
Kanashii kage ni madowanai de
(It ends with the group facing the audience, the Fal'Cie behind them with evil smiles on their faces, the two known deities behind the Fal'Cie, and a shadowy figure behind them. It is all on a black background.)
"You must think you're so smart. I know what you're after. You set up a weak monster and a Spell that triggers when a monster is destroyed, thinking I wouldn't dare attacking it. But this was a distraction, right? Your real ace is that face-down card you intended to spring. So I'll get rid of it!"
She snapped her fingers to activate the card of her choice.
"I activate Mystical Space Typhoon! This card destroys one Spell or Trap card on the field, and I'll use it to get rid of your face-down card."
A mighty whirlwind coiled up and penetrated the set card on Adonis' side. Before it shattered, the card flipped up so Selene could see what it was. She'd seen it before.
"Silent Slumber, was it? That could've halted my attack. Just as I though, you're trying to protect your monster. Then I'll destroy it! Lunar Lancehead, attack Crystality Wingshard!"
The odd-looking golden lancer charged forward, and its lance penetrated the target's face, leaving behind a massive set of cracks, which soon caused the Wingshard to shatter, combust, and explode.
Adonis: LP: 2800
The Fal'Cie couldn't resist something of an evil smirk.
"With this, Crystal Destiny activates its effect. But first, I activate the ability of Crystality Wingshard in a chain."
Selene's eyes widened a little bit.
"What, a chain?" Selene exclaimed.
"When Crystality Wingshard is destroyed, it can Special Summon a level 3 Crystality monster from my deck. I'll Special Summon Crystality Knight." He explained.
As the card of Wingshard was pulled into the abyss, another card was thrown out of the dark whirl, and Adonis played it. The summoned monster only vaguely resembled a knight, it can more easily be described as a mass of crystals just shaped like a knight, with a pinned head and a large coned lance as a right arm. Its entire left arm was missing. ATK: 1500/ LV3
The creature which everyone made of flesh present despised continued.
"Now the effect of Crystal Destiny can resolve. I can draw a card, and if that card is a Crystality monster, it is Special Summoned at the spot."
"Just because you have a deck full of those things doesn't mean you'll actually draw it." She scoffed. He laughed.
"I disagree. Humans and even Lunarians tend to obey their decks like priests obey their gods, but us fal'Cie are the masters of fate that shapes the world." He said, an air of arrogance and pride in his voice, as he was truly a deity and Selene was just some bug he could squash.
"What?" Selene said, anger in her voice. Her hatred for the mechanical being was only growing with every unnecessary word he spoke. Adonis put his hand up…
"Destiny shapes the world regardless of choice, and fate decides the draws of a duelist. Behold as the power that controls destiny, now controls the very draws of mine!"
And the hand was surrounded by an odd, glimmering light. The same light appeared atop of his deck, it almost seemed like the card was encased in crystal. He then drew his card and…
"This is the power of a fal'Cie. Miracle Draw!"
"Miracle Draw!?" Selene exclaimed. She couldn't believe that kind of power existed. Fang got pissed.
"That's cheating, you son-of-a-bitch!" Fang yelled, cursing at the massive thing. He just simply smirked at her, and then proceeded to resume his turn. The card, in his hand, was still radiating a foreign light.
"I drew a 2nd Crystality Wingshard, so it is Special Summoned."
"IF YOU LIVE THIS, YOU ARE GONNA DIE BY MY HANDS, YOU HEAR ME?! I AM GOING TO SHOVE MY LANCE SO FAR UP YOUR ASS THAT IT'S GONNA COME OUT OF YOUR EMPTY SKULL THAT YOU GOT FROM YO MAMMA!" Fang yelled even louder than before, angrily ramming her lance into the ground with each word. Her threats appeared to be unnoticed. The Fal'Cie continued to act on his turn.
And just like that, there was a second Wingshard floating next to Crystality Knight on Adonis' side. ATK: 900/ LV3
Selene spat at him.
"You indeed are Fallen, to fall down to such tricks…" She said, disgusted. She picked a card from her hand.
"I Special summon Moon Runner! This monster can be Special summoned when the Battle phase ends if one of my monsters dealt battle damage to you."
With the snap of the princess's fingers, a new monster appeared. it was a soldier of sorts, dressed entirely in a black spandex suit with occasional white stripes. It had a red-eyed helmet with blunt extensions on the sides. In a way, it resembled a Super Sentai. ATK: 900/ LV2
"Then, when this card is summoned in this way, it gains Attack points equal to the damage you took." She said as she set a card.
Moon Runner: ATK: 2100
"I set a card and end my turn."
"My move then."
"I'll enter the Battle Phase immediately. And I attack Lunar Lancehead with Crystality Knight." He said.
The knight-shaped crystal statue picked its massive pointed arm and charged at Selene's side. Fang laughed.
"Ha! He really is stupid! His little friend is weaker than Selene's little friend!"
"At this point, Crystality Knight's effect activates. When fighting a monster with 1900 or more Attack points, his Attack points are decreased by 500." He began.
Crystality Knight: ATK: 1000
"Also, during this battle, it is my opponent that will take all the battle damage in my stead." He added, smirking. Fang's mouth hit the floor. Vanille gasped.
"No! That means Selene's gonna get hurt bad!" Vanille cried.
Crystality Knight and Lunar Lancehead clashed their spears, a short conflict that resulted in the complete shattering of Crystality Knight. However, the many shards it left behind then rained all over Lancehead, who covered his face with his arms. A handful of shards flew in Selene's direction…
"I won't let you! Trap, activate: Moon Gravity Intervention! (the card flips) Because of this card, neither one of us will take damage this turn from battles including monsters with 2000 or more Attack points, like Lancehead. And because you don't take any damage from the battle, no damage will be reflected to me!" Selene said quickly, managing to save her ass. The effect of this trap was a bit odd. In an instant, a massive image of the moon just appeared above the field, and its gravitational influence pulled in all the shards headed Selene's way. The other flesh creatures were astonished for a moment, but the effect faded. Vanille breathed a sigh of relief. Selene wouldn't get hurt.
"However, because a Crystality monster was destroyed, Crystal Destiny allows me to draw a card and Special Summon any drawn Crystality monsters." He said, slightly angry that his plan was overcome. His hand glowed once again.
"With this hand of mine, the power that controls destiny will now make the draw of cards obey me. Miracle Draw!"
"OKAY, YOU CHEATING WHORE! IF SELENE CAN'T KILL YA, YOU ARE GOING TO DIE THE MOST PAINFUL DEATH I CAN DEAL OUT!" Fang yelled. Once again, she was ignored. Lightning rolled her eyes.
I wonder if she realizes the fact that the Fal'Cie is completely ignoring her… Lightning thought. Another fascinating drawing sequence occurred, and of course he drew just what he needed.
"I Special Summon Crystality Sage."
His new monster once again resembled a crystal statue, held together with pearl-gray frames and armor, now resembling a bishop. DEF: 2000/ LV4
"I will release my Crystality Sage and Crystality Wingshard, to perform an Advance Summon!"
Both of his remaining monsters vanished into thin air.
"From the braces of eternity, the light that shines forever shall manifest into everlasting crystal. From frail light, a new crystal force shall rise! Appear, Crystality Archlord!"
It goes without saying that the new monster was entirely made of crystal. This one resembled a huge angel, decorated with marble-white frames and shiny orbs, wielding a crystal sword and carried on hollow wings. Its legs has no feet, and ended with crystalic tips instead. ATK: 2800/ LV8
"That must be his ace monster." Selene whispered to herself.
"I set 2 cards face-down. Turn end." Adonis said, a prideful smirk on his face as he set his cards. Selene grinned.
"Then I'll bring out mine. My turn, draw!"
"Moon Runner's Attack points now return to normal."
Moon Runner: ATK: 900
"And before I forget to mention… Moon Runner is a Tuner monster, so guess what that means. I'll tune my level 5 Lunar Lancehead with my Moon Runner!" She said, smiling.
Moon Runner jumped up, and just like that, it dissolved into 2 green rings, which formed a funnel that Lunar Lancehead flew through. As it did, the only thing remaining of him was a series of its external outlines, shining in bright orange. It revealed something like inner lights, which united with Moon Runner's hidden light.
5* + 2* = 7*
Selene began chanting, closing her eyes. An odd-looking circle appeared underneath her, and it gave her a brilliant sparkling effect.
"The brilliant moon guides my path with its neverending light! O divine beast, become incarnate in a brilliant dance of justice! Synchro Summon!"
The energy from the circle flowed around her as she performed a most mesmerizing dance. It spiralled to the moon, before descending back down to her, increasing in density as it did, until a closed, silver bud appeared behind her. It blossomed, and revealed the incredible beast that the ritual called forth. The flower faded the moment the beast left it.
"Rise, Chaos Eclipse Dragon!" Selene exclaimed as the magnificent beast lept from the moonflower. It was mostly silver, save for white wing membranes that had the faintest tinges of light blues and pink on the bottom edges. Its tail had an arrowhead point, and it almost seemed to be carved out of pure silver. Its scales smoothly blended into one another. Its claws were white, just like its wings. With twin silver horns pointed back from behind it, the beast was certainly impressive to most. Its belly scales didn't blend as well with the body, and thus could be discerned. Its fangs helped add some degree of intimidation to it. It opened its ice-blue eyes that were gentle yet frightening at the same time, and let out a terrifying roar.
ATK: 2400/ LV7
Vanille was speechless, and in admiration of the beautiful creature. The slight sparkle generated from the light reflecting off of its silver scales was enough to destroy whatever words she might've had. Fang smiled at it-she was going to spar with Chaos Eclipse Dragon if it killed her. Snow looked at the crystal tear in his hand and held it so it was inbetween the dragon's eye and him.
"Serah, help Selene out here, please." Snow whispered.
"That's quite the beast, I'll tell you!" Sazh said, impressed belief and smiling. The chocobo chick popped out and "kweh"ed in agreement.
"That's the most impressive and beautiful thing I've ever seen. It's got to be more powerful than any of the peacekeepers the Sanctum has." Lightning commented. Hope's eyes were wider than two full moons. For some reason, as he looked at the beast and its master, he couldn't help but think of his late mother, Nora.
"Mom…" He whispered. Adonis wasn't even remotely phased by the beast. He scoffed.
"So that is the art of the Synchro Summon. And this must be this Lunarian's chosen warrior I heard of." He said.
"Next, I Normal Summon Power Grinder!" She said. She immediately summoned the next monster: to make the description as simple as possible, it was a robot. An entirely white mecha with large gauntlets, and a pointy forward-pointing head. ATK: 600/ LV4
"When Power Grinder is Normal Summoned, it can gain Attack points equal to those of a Synchro monster on the field. In this case, he gains my Chaos Eclipse Dragon's power."
Power Grinder: AK: 600… 3000
"Alright! It's stronger than his monster now!" Vanille exclaimed, jumping.
"If she attacks him, he's gonna be a pile of nuts and bolts! Go for it, Selene!" Fang agreed.
"The damage to his Life Points will be enough to wipe him out!" Hope added.
"Something tells me he isn't going to let it end that easily…" Lightning said to herself. Selene looked at Fang for a second, and turned back to her robotic opponent.
"I'll be taking you out this turn! Chaos Eclipse Dragon has a special ability. It can banish himself along with another monster on the field into the Void Beyond, then return both during End phase. And when he does, the other monster's effects will be negated. But you won't last to see that, because I'll then have a clear shot at your Life points. Chaos Eclipse Dragon, use your ability, and banish Crystality Archlord! Silencing Eclipse!"
The dragon flew up into the air, and an eclipse occurred. It flew down into a hole that it generated from its own power, and dragged the Archlord with it. Selene smiled.
"Yes, now I'll-"
"I activate a Continuous Trap!" Adonis said, interrupting.
"What?"
"The Chain Beyond!"
The card revealed itself, flipping to face-up position.
"I was expecting Chaos Eclipse Dragon to activate its effect. This card is the countermeasure to that ability. The Chain Beyond will bind your dragon across the dimensions, and lock it up in the Void Beyond!"
A set of chains were shot out of the card, and into the rift in space created by Chaos Eclipse Dragon. Selene could hear the cries, and even see the shadow of her dragon, as the chains restrained him. She looked like she was about to cry.
"No! What are you doing?!"
"A banished monster that is restrained with Chain Beyond cannot leave the banished zone. In addition, you will now take 600 damage during each Standby phase." He explained, laughing evilly.
"No way… My Dragon got…Chaos…."
Ending: Inori no Kanata (Beyond the Prayer) by Akiko Shikata
awaki sora no hazama hitohira no hana wa kobore
(A beautiful flower's petals tear off into the wind. They flow past Selene and the L'Cie.)
mai tatsu kin iro no kaze ni hirari yura re
(Snow holds Serah's crystal tear close to his heart. Selene looks at the back of her hand.)
doko e mukau
(Cut to the back of Selene's hand, with a L'Cie brand and a tear on it.)
mawari dasu toki no haguruma
(Cut to a closed-eyed Selene, standing on a crystal pillar in the moonlight. The camera zooms to her face, revealing a single tear from her left eye.)
karamiau omoi oikakete te o basu
(Lightning and Selene stand back to back on the same pillar just seen, in the moonlight. They both hold their hands over their hearts.)
ori na sareru mirai to kako no kawaranu negai yo
(Cut to a scene of a nude Selene in chains.)
donna kurushimi sae mo koe te kanata e ha ga takeru
(She breaks free, and flies to a full moon in the distance.)
aoki hitomi no soko hitotsubu no shizuku kobore
(Selene looks down in doubt, and she is crying.)
sazameku gin no izumi yurare yurete
(Pan out, and reveal that she is levitating above a silver fountain. Her tear disturbs it.)
nani o utsusu
(Show her reflection in the fountain. It is disturbed by her tear, which turns to crystal.)
tachi kire nu kanashimi no wato
(Selene's tears form chains that bind her.)
wasurare nu tsumi no wabachi o ima toki hanatsu
(Vanille wipes her tears, and she breaks free of her chains, flying away. The two arrive to meet the rest of the group. They look towards the full moon in the sky.)