Episode 105: The Fate of Yugoha Part 1
Vanquishing Crusader, Earth Orbit
Yuni, Seto, Ma'at, Brutus, Tori, Lux, and Nox are still in the Neural Lab in the aftermath of Yuni's duel with Xenox. Yuni is still in his Chaos form. Yuni is saying, "Yes, I agree with Seto. We've wasted much too much time. We need to launch our attack on the New Yugohan Emperor. If we can defeat him, we can stop this invasion once and for all."
Ma'at nods. "While I agree, there is one major problem, we lost Zenith, our greatest resource."
Tori agrees, "Without him, we have no way of getting to the emperor's chambers. We have no idea where they are."
Seto declares, "We can't let that stop us. Assuming that everything Zenith told us was true, this lab was on the way to the emperor's chambers. I say we move on in direction we were heading, I think we'll find it."
Brutus asks, "But what if we get lost? We can't afford to waste time trying to find our way."
Yuni is contemplating something. "I think I have an idea, but I don't like it."
Tori asks, "What is it Yuni?"
Yuni sighs. "We need to split into two groups. That would double our chances of finding the right way. We can stay in communication, alert the other team if we find something."
Seto grins slightly. "That's the smartest thing you've suggested today."
Ma'at is less certain. "I don't know… The more of us, the better chances we have."
Brutus and Tori look to Yuni. Brutus says, "I'll do whatever you think is best Yuni. I trust you to make the right decision."
Yuni contemplates his plan further. "It's what we have to do." He looks over everyone with him. "I have the utmost confidence in all of you. I know that we can do this. Ma'at, Seto, you two come with me. Tori and Brutus, you two go with Lux and Nox." Everyone nods in affirmation. "We'll stay in contact via our radios." Yuni beckons to the communication piece in his ear. "The New Yugohans may be able to track them, so only use them when absolutely necessary. If you do find the emperor's chambers, do not engage without first contacting the other team." Everyone nods. "Alright, let's move out."
Everyone heads towards the lab's exit. The last to leave are Yuni, Lux, and Nox. Before they exit, Yuni stops them and says, "Lux, Nox, I know that if you two had your choice, you would want to stay with me and protect me, but I need you to protect something even more important, my friends."
Lux and Nox nod. Lux says, "We understand my lord."
Nox adds, "We will protect them as we would you."
"Thank you." They leave as well.
In the docking bay, Seto's ship is sitting alone. The exit hatch opens, and down comes Otto. He looks around and says to himself, "It would appear that I am finally alone."
As if to prove him wrong, the doors in the front of the room open. Otto whispers, "Shadow Cloak," and becomes invisible.
In to the room walks two New Yugohan workers. One asks, "Are you sure we should be in here? Admiral Zenith explicitly told us not to."
The other answers, "Yeah, and we had explicit orders to give this hanger a systems check after the Admiral told us not to go in here. If you ask me, when two orders contradict each other, you go with the more recent one, and if you get in trouble, just blame the one who issued the order."
The first nods. "That makes…" He trails off as Seto's ship comes into their view. "What's that?"
The other shakes his head. "I have no idea. It appears to be some sort of ship shaped like a Duel Monster."
"Should we call it in?"
"I don't know, what if this is why the Admiral didn't want us coming in here?"
Otto reappears behind the two and says almost innocently, "Excuse me, but I need instructions to the engine room."
The first worker demands, "What, who are-!?" but is cut off when Otto casts an odd field of shadows around them, causing them both to faint.
Yuni, Seto, and Ma'at are now making their way through a corridor. Ma'at says, "Judging by the pattern in the layout of the ship I've seen so far, I'd think that this has to be the way to the command center of the ship."
Yuni states, "I'd contact Trope, by now he has to have the layout of this ship figured out, but I could compromise his mission by breaking radio silence."
Seto says, "Just keep on moving, we have to get there."
The group suddenly stops as they hear the sound of marching around the corner. Ma'at states, "It looks like trouble's found us already."
A group of troops rounds the corners, and halt as they see Yuni's group. One shouts, "Those are the Yugohan Princes! The Emperor wants them!"
Yuni steps forward and creates a pulse of energy, which knocks several of the soldiers off their feet. The remaining soldiers instantly begin to fight back, using the weapons built into their suits. Ma'at leaps forward, protecting himself with a barrier of light. He then makes a motion with his hands, and the shield is sent forward, pushing back some soldiers with a tremendous force.
Seto notices a soldier that fell near him. He casually strolls over. Another soldier attempts to jump at him from behind, but Seto takes a gauntlet off of the fallen soldier, puts it on and turns around just in time to fire an energy cannon at the soldier.
Yuni, Seto, and Ma'at then launch one combined energy attack at the remaining soldiers, incapacitating each one. Ma'at says, "Alright, I think that's the last of them."
Seto is bending over another fallen soldier. He takes off its jetpack and puts it on, as well as another gauntlet for his unarmored arm. He also checks the soldier's utility belt, where he finds a portable terminal.
Yuni asks, "What did you find Seto?"
Seto explains, "Those soldiers carry a portable terminal system with them to access data on the move. Now I have all of their information, including a guide through this ship."
Ma'at asks, "Wait, does that mean you know the way to the command center?"
Seto nods. "If you follow me." He begins to move and Yuni follows, however, Ma'at lags behind.
Yuni turns and asks, "What's wrong Ma'at?"
Ma'at contemplates, "Have you ever considered that this is a little too easy?"
Seto responds, "That's because you have me on your side."
Ignoring Seto, Yuni asks, "How?"
"Think about it. We're on our way to the emperor's chambers, and yet this is only the second contingent of guards we've seen. Not to mention, theoretically at least, a device such as the one Seto took really should be protected by at least a password, if not more. I think we're walking into a trap."
Seto asks, "So what does it matter? We have no other choice."
Yuni nods in agreement. "You may be right, but right now we have no other options. I say we press forward, but cautiously."
Ma'at nods. "Alright, I'm with you." They follow Seto away.
They've made it to a grand door. Yuni nods. "This has to be it."
Seto is working at a terminal, hacking in to the system to get in. he says, "We should…be…in…now." The doors slide open.
They cautiously move in. The room is the chamber where the New Yugohan Emperor has previously been seen. They look around. The voice of the emperor suddenly says, "Don't act like strangers, do come in." The emperor turns his throne around to face Yuni, Seto, and Ma'at.
Yuni steps forward. "I'm afraid we haven't meet."
The emperor grins. "Oh, but we might as well have, for my Mind Partner met with your original incarnations on the battlefield many times. This is but a reunion."
Seto and Ma'at step forward, the door closes behind them.
The emperor states, "But, I guess you do not remember that. I am Talok Xent, Emperor of New Yugoha."
Yuni reaches to his ear and taps the communicator. "Yuni to Lux, Yuni to Lux."
Talok laughs. "I'm afraid you won't be making any communications to the outside world. You see, I've been expecting you."
Seto demands, "You what!?"
Ma'at turns around and tries to reopen the doors, but they're locked. He shouts, "It was a trap!"
Talok proclaims, "Yes, I've known that you've been on your way here since you first left Earth. I allowed the treacherous Zenith to help you, I sent you a map, I allowed you to walk up to my front door."
Yuni says sternly, "You won't get away with this invasion. You will be stopped."
"I think that there is something you need to see. It's a broadcast originating from your hometown." Talok snaps his fingers.
Behind him, a panel of see-through material showing outer space behind it becomes opaque, and then turns into a screen. On the screen a newscast appears. It shows a scene of a partially destroyed Domino City. A voiceover says, "While the damage was great, due to an apparent loss in their ability to teleport soldiers, the United Earth Army was able to fight back and nearly defeat the invasion force. A few cities around the world are still seeing combat, but Domino, which featured the largest alien attack, has been contained. It is still unknown why New Yugoha has suddenly launched this attack, and there has been no official statement from the government as of yet."
Talok snaps his fingers again and the screen turns back into a window. Yuni declares, "Ha, it looks like we pathetic humans have managed to defeat your invasion force. I guess we win."
Talok begins to laugh. "You really do think it's that easy!? Ha! Do you really think I'd launch an attack against a planet with only one ship? Even attacking a planet as weak as yours, I would never be so foolish!" He snaps his fingers again. This time the window activates some sort of telescope-like zooming ability. As the image enlarges, a star grows bigger, until is obvious that it is not a star, but Saturn. The image continues to zoom, and what seems like tiny specks surround it.
Seto states, "I fail to see what's so significant."
Yuni, meanwhile, looks completely shocked. "Those are…" The image continues to zoom. Saturn now takes up half of the screen, and rest of the open space full of an armada of ships. Seto realizes what they are and also goes silent, as well as Ma'at.
Talok laughs malevolently. "Yes Yuni, they are ships! This is the New Yugohan Invasion Armada! It will arrive at your planet in mere hours! No non-space fairing race could ever stand up to its might, or even offer the slightest resistance! It is you that has lost!"
Ma'at does the morbid calculations. "There has to be at least a hundred ships. If each of those ships carries even fourth of the troops this one carries, Earth is done for…and that's not even calculating the firepower each ship carries itself."
Yuni shouts, "You have to end this! Why do you even want to conquer Earth!?"
"I have many a reason. Most primary of them being punishment."
Seto demands, "Punishment for what!?"
"For harboring you! 20,000 years ago, the Tyrian Empire conquered the Yugoha and became the New Yugohan Empire, however, it was never a legitimate claim, for in our hour of victory, the two Yugohan Princes, either of which could challenge us for control over the empire, slipped through our fingers. And for the 20,000 years since, emperor after emperor, all imbued with the Xent Mind Partner, have searched in vain for the planet they fled to. Now, after twenty millennia, the ultimate prize stands right in front of me, and the planet that was their sanctuary will belong to me."
Yuni steps forward. "I won't let that happen."
Seto steps to his side. "Neither will I."
Ma'at also steps forward. "I may not be a Prince of Yugoha, but I will protect this planet."
Yuni proclaims, "We have been selected as the three Guardians of Yugoha," Yuni pulls his Chronoton Staff card out of his deck box and displays it, "and we will protect the legacy of Yugoha, and the future of Earth!"
Ma'at and Seto each pull out their card as well. The three cards seem to resonate with each other and release a golden light.
Talok declares, "If you want to stop me, then fight me! I'll duel all three of you!"
Yuni returns, "You're on!" All four activate their Duel Gauntlets.
The Duel Computer states, "Duel now commencing. The team of Yuni Oha, Seto Ossius, and Ma'at vs. Talok Xent. Scanning decks…decks accepted. Commence dueling."
Yuni proclaims, "I'll take the first turn! Duel on!" He draws. "I activate Triple Cyber! This card summons three Cyber Spawn Tokens, at the cost of not being able to attack this turn, or perform a non-tribute Normal Summon. But that will hardly be a problem." Three insect-like robots appear in front of Yuni (Earth/Level 1/Machine/Token/ATK 0/DEF 0). "Then I activate Temporal Advancement! This card increases the turn count by one for each monster I control, meaning each of my monsters have now been on the field for three turns!" Yuni looks Talok in the eyes and declares, "If you have a fight with a Prince of Yugoha, you also have a fight with their gods! You're in over your head! I tribute my three Tokens in order to summon the God of Time himself! Come forth, Chronos, the Temporal Lord (Divine/Level 10/Divine-Beast/Effect/ATK X000/DEF X000)!" The entire room shakes. Even though they are far from any planet's atmosphere, the sound of thunder can be heard. A massive vortex opens behind Yuni and Chronos emerges (ATK and DEF: 3000). "Chronos, move this duel two more turns into the future!" Chronos roars and advances the flow of time (ATK and DEF: 5000). "I end my turn (Yuni's hand: 3)."
Seto draws. "The next turn belongs to me! Since I don't control the highest leveled monster on the field, I can Special Summon the Plasma Marauder (Light/Level 6/Warrior/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 0)!" A rugged warrior of red plasma appears before Seto. "Then I activate Cosmic Mirror! This card summons another two copies of Plasma Marauder, but their attack and defense become zero, their effects are negated, and they're destroyed at the end of this turn." Two mirrors appear on either side of Seto's monster, and the displayed reflections walks out of them. "They won't stick around for that long though! Yuni's not the only one who can call upon divine intervention! I tribute my three monsters, whose total levels equal 18 in order to call upon Quantus, the Spatial Lord (Divine/Level 10/Divine-Beast/Effect/ATK 4000/DEF 4000)!" The room shakes again, more violently then before. Another vortex opens, this one revealing the Yugohan god of space. "You wouldn't be able to defeat Yuni's god, let alone mine (Seto's hand: 3)."
Ma'at states, "I guess it's my turn!" He draws. "I activate March of Order, which allows me to Special Summon the Phantom of Order (Light/Level 4/Fiend/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 1400)!" An almost formless being of light, contained by the white and gold armor of Order, appears. "By discarding a card, I can summon two Order Tokens (Light/Level 1/Fairy/Token/ATK 0/DEF 0) to my field." Ma'at rids his hand of a card and two miniature versions of the phantom appear in either side of it. "Ma'at looks upwards, as if to the sky, and prays, "Goddess please lend me your power in order to help me protect those that I love." Ma'at prepares to summon a card. "By returning all three of my Order monsters to the deck, I can summon the Goddess of the Grand Order (Order/Level 12/Divine-Beast/Effect/ATK 4500/DEF 4500)!" Ma'at's monsters all merge together, forming a massive column of light. From that light, emerges the Goddess of Order. "No force has ever defeated the Goddess of Order (Ma'at's hand: 2)!"
Three massive and divine monsters stand behind Yuni, Seto, and Ma'at. Yuni declares, "No one could possibly stand up to the combined force of three God Monsters! Stop this attack on Earth now and we'll call this duel off!"
Talok begins to laugh. "You are making so many assumptions right now, and they are all wrong! First off, you should realize, since I'm only one facing three, I get three times the life points (Talok's LP: 12000)" Talok draws. "I activate Dimensional Rift! This Continuous Spell banishes three monsters of the same name from my deck, such as my three Interdimensional Invaders." A giant rift opens behind Talok, and three unknown monsters get sucked into it. "Then I activate my Mystical Space Typhoon in order to destroy my own Dimensional Rift! When the rift is destroyed, it releases the monsters it took, and summons them to my field (Dark/Level 5/Fiend/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 2000)!" Three identical monsters appears on Talok's field. They are monstrous creatures with a humanoid form. Their skin is primarily black and purple, while they wear some sort of almost organic looking green armor. "I tribute my three monsters, which have a combined total of 6000 attack!" Talok begins to chant, "God of Gods, Lord of Lords, I pray to thee! Descend from your place amongst the stars and come to me! Serve Yugoha, as it serves you! See that this match is through! Come to me, Versal, the Reality Lord (Divine/Level 10/Divine-Beast/Effect/ATK ? ? ? ?/DEF ? ? ? ?)!"
The room shakes more violently than ever. Behind Talok, in the vacuum of space behind the window, a brilliant display of light and color appears. After fluctuating for a few moments, a solid form appears in the light. It is a massive sphere. The light ceases, but the sphere creates a brilliant glow of its own. The sphere begins to transform. It takes the form the of a gigantic dragon, a dragon that resembles the form of the Winged Dragon of Ra. Its glowing lessens just enough to make out its physical appearance. Similar to the Winged Dragon of Ra, it almost appears to be made out of metal, but this time both gold and silver. Despite this metallic skin color, its overall appearance is much more organic, and natural, with less sharp lines and more flowing curves. It seems as if space itself bends around it, forming a unique halo effect around it. The monster floats forward, towards the windows. As it would normally touch the windows, it seems to warp them around it, allowing it to pass straight through them and enter the room.
Yuni, Ma'at, and even Seto look at the new monster with absolute shock, horror, and awe all at once. After a moment, Yuni states in disbelief, "That's…a…Yugohan Lord…"
