Chapter 29: The Rise of Jack Atlas

It had finally arrived. My second duel against Jack had arrived, my second chance to get back Stardust Dragon and return it to its rightful owner...

The two Duel Runners shot forwards, engines roaring with power as the two machines became streaks of orange and white on the track.

Julian 8000LP 0SPC/Jack 8000LP 0SPC

"I'll start!" Julian yelled "I draw! I summon Flamvell Firedog!" The molten hellhound appeared from a crimson portal beside him with a harsh bark (ATK: 1900). "Now I lay three cards face-down and end my turn!"

As the cards appeared beside his Duel Runner, he looked over his hand, which now contained only Speed Spell – Angel Baton and Speed Spell – Summon Speeder. His two face-downs were Urgent Tuning, Synchro Strike and Flare Bonding. When Jack summoned a monster capable of destroying Flamvell Firedog, Julian would activate Flare Bonding, allowing him to Special Summon a Fire monster from his Deck with a lower Level than Flamvell Firedog, specifically Magna Drago. Then he would activate Urgent Tuning, Tuning together Firedog and Magna Drago to Synchro Summon Flamvell Urquizas. Then he would activate Synchro Strike, increasing Urquizas's power by 500 for each Synchro Material monster used to form him.

Julian 8000LP 0SPC/Jack 8000LP 0SPC

"I draw!" Jack yelled. There were clicks from their Duel Runners as their Speed Counters increased (1SPCx2).

"I summon Vice Dragon using its effect!" he yelled. The pitch-black dragon appeared (ATK: 2000), then it glowed red and groaned (ATK: 1000). "Now I summon Dark Tinker!" A fiendish creature with a body of a spider and the head of an old hag appeared, raising arms clutching numerous tools (ATK: 1000).

"Now I Tune Dark Tinker with Vice Dragon!" Jack shouted. Dark Tinker dissolved into two stars that reformed into Synchro Gates and encircled Vice Dragon, cutting it down to the usual orange framework that released five glowing stars. Stars spun and exploded, forming a star of dark purple aura...

"The ruler's shouts echo throughout! Hammer of Victory, shatter the very earth! Synchro Summon! Flap your wings, Exploder Dragonwing!"

With a great roar, a pitch-black dragon soared from the Synchro Summon, spreading great orange wings. Its barbed talons flexed into fists as its thick tail thrashed in the air. It's almost skeletal legs were tucked up under the great body, and a collar of orange membrane encircled its throat. The beast glared at Julian with bloody red eyes as it roared again (ATK: 2400).

"Now, Exploder Dragonwing, attack his pitiful Firedog!" Jack laughed. Exploder Dragonwing roared and swooped towards Flamvell Firedog...

"I'm triggering my Trap Card!" Julian yelled "Flare Bonding! With this, I can bring out a Fire monster with a lower Level than Firedog from my Deck! I choose the Tuner Magna Drago!" With a shrill roar, a small crimson dragon appeared, flapping its wings strongly (ATK: 1400). "Now I'm using Urgent Tuning to Tune Magna Drago with Flamvell Firedog!"

Magna Drago dissolved into two Synchro Gates that encircled Flamvell Firedog, turning the hellhound into an orange shadow that released four glowing stars that exploded into an inferno...

"Unified flames give rise to a crusader of infernos! Unite, flames, and unleash your warrior! Synchro Summon! Flame on, Flamvell Urquizas!"

Flamvell Urquizas appeared with an almighty roar, raising his burning fists (ATK: 2100). Exploder Dragonwing turned towards him, and with a gesture from Jack, charged, roaring and unleashing flames...

"Go, Synchro Strike!" Julian cried. Flamvell Urquizas glowed and roared again (ATK: 3100). As Exploder Dragonwing dived towards him, Urquizas leapt up and smashed his blazing fist into its face, shattering the beast almost effortlessly. Jack growled as flames washed over him.

(Jack: 7300LP 1SPC)

"I'll end my turn with two face-downs," Jack growled as Flamvell Urquizas roared (ATK: 3400). Then his glow from Synchro Strike faded away (ATK: 2400).

Julian 8000LP 1SPC/Jack 7300 1SPC

"I draw," Julian said as their Speed Counters increased (2SPCx2).

"I activate Speed Spell – Angel Baton to draw two cards, but I have to discard one afterwards!" Julian yelled, drawing. He smiled as he saw the cards, Speed Spell – Vision Wind and Flamvell Baby. "I discard Speed Spell – Summon Speeder! Now I use Flamvell Baby's effect to discard it and raise Flamvell Urquizas's power by 400!" He slotted the monster into his Graveyard and Flamvell Urquizas burned more brightly (ATK: 2800). "Now, Flamvell Urquizas, attack Jack directly!"

Flamvell Urquizas glided forwards, raising a blazing fist, but one of Jack's face-downs lifted up...

"I activate Change Destiny!" he called "with this, your attack is negated!" Flamvell Urquizas slammed into an invisible shield and was hurled back to Julian's side of the field. "Now you can choose one of two effects. You can either increase your Life Points by Urquizas's attack points or hit me with half that amount." Julian pretended to think.

"I'm hitting you with half the damage!" he called. A red door appeared in front of Jack and opened, unleashing a jet of searing flames that engulfed the aspiring king. He growled in pain as he rode out of the fire.

(Jack: 5900LP 1SPC)

"I'll end there," Julian said. Jack smirked.

Julian 8000LP 2SPC/Jack 5900LP 1SPC

"I draw!" Jack yelled. Their Speed Counters increased (Julian: 3SPC) (Jack: 2SPC).

"Now I activate Speed Spell – Count Up! With this, I can discard cards to gain two Speed Counters for each! I discard Twin-Sword Marauder to gain two Speed Counters!" He slotted the card into his Graveyard and sped up (Jack: 4SPC). "Now I activate Powerful Rebirth to bring back Twin-Sword Marauder!" The swordsman with the black helmet appeared with a roar (ATK: 1600). Then it glowed as Powerful Rebirth's effect kicked in (ATK: 1700/Level 5).

"Now I summon Dark Resonator!" The jester Fiend appeared with a cackle (ATK: 1300). "And I'm Tuning Dark Resonator with Twin-Sword Marauder to Synchro Summon...!"

As Jack's monsters began the Synchro Sequence, Julian looked back to just before the Duel, when he had been readying his Duel Runner... he remembered a promise he had made...

29

Julian looked over his Duel Runner carefully, dressed in the crimson and white jumpsuit he had had been given by Rex Goodwin. The jumpsuit was clearly new, but the material itched. Julian lightly ran a hand along the Runner's sleek frame.

"Julian?"

He looked up to see Kelsey standing in the doorway, looking at him sadly.

"Yes?" he replied. She stepped into the room gracefully, but hesitantly.

"I just wanted to wish you luck," she said quietly "I hope you can beat Jack."

"He's going down," Julian replied "I'm getting that Stardust Dragon back for Yusei." She stepped closer and looked into his eyes.

"Do you promise me that?" she whispered, taking another step and gently embracing him.

"I promise," he whispered back, wrapping her in his own embrace. She rested her head against his chest and relaxed in his arms.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you too," he replied. She pulled back slightly and looked into his eyes before leaning in and kissing him passionately. He responded in kind, lifting her off the ground and holding her close to him.

After a few seconds, they broke apart, looking at each other tenderly. Kelsey kissed him chastely before stepping back towards the door.

"I will win," Julian murmured. She smiled sadly as she stepped out of the room...

Then she turned back and walked to him once more, picking up his helmet from a bench and holding it in her hands.

"I know you will," she whispered, kissing him once again before passing him the helmet. He put it on, activating the electronic screen of his visor with the brush of a finger. Instantly strands of data ran over the visor, before it cleared. He smiled at Kelsey before kissing her one final time. He turned away and mounted the Duel Runner, smiling at her as he started the engine. She walked back to the door.

"I'll be cheering you every step of the way!" she called...

29

As stars spun within Synchro Gates and exploded with dark purple light, Julian came out of his memories, clenching a fist.

"I promised her I'd win," he thought.

Jack began his chant, roaring the words to the heavens.

"The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Bear witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Dragon Archfiend!"

With a terrifying, majestic roar, Red Dragon Archfiend burst from the Synchro Summon, soaring on mighty wings that blotted out the sun as it spread them, hellfire blazing in eyes and maw, talons flexing and tail thrashing (ATK: 3000).

"Now, Red Dragon Archfiend!" Jack called "attack Flamvell Urquizas with Scorching Crimson Flare!" Red Dragon Archfiend roared and unleashed a torrent of flames from its maw, obliterating Julian's monster effortlessly. Julian cried out in pain as the flames washed over him, searing right into his body.

(Julian: 7800LP 3SPC)

"I'll end there," Jack laughed.

Julian 7800LP 3SPC/Jack 5900LP 4SPC

Julian drew and their Speed Counters increased (Julian: 4SPC) (Jack: 5SPC). He smiled as he saw his card, Flamvell Paun.

"I'm setting a monster and a face-down and ending my turn!" he yelled. The face-down Flamvell Paun appeared, along with the face-down Spell or Trap.

Julian 7800LP 4SPC/Jack 5900LP 5SPC

"I draw!" Jack yelled. Their Duel Runners sped up instantly (Julian: 5SPC) (Jack: 6SPC)

"I summon Mad Archfiend!" he called. A thin, emaciated man appeared, clad only in baggy yellow trousers. His skin was a dark fleshy colour and his hair was maroon. His face was shrouded in shadow and where his stomach should have been, there were a pair of fanged jaws with a skull between them. Ox skulls adorned his shoulders and he cackled madly (ATK: 1800). "Mad Archfiend, attack that face-down! Bone Splash!" Mad Archfiend cackled and the jaws in its abdomen chewed up the skull before spitting out a hail of sharp fragments that ripped Flamvell Paun apart. The shards kept going and tore into Julian, who cried out in pain.

(Julian: 6200LP 4SPC)

"Mad Archfiend deals out Piercing Damage!" Jack laughed.

"And now Flamvell Paun's effect kicks in!" Julian yelled "I'm using it to add Flamvell Archer to my hand!" The card slid out of his Deck and he added it to his hand.

"Get all the cards you like!" Jack laughed "they won't win this for you! Red Dragon Archfiend, Scorching Crimson Flare!" Flames rose in Red Dragon Archfiend's maw before being hurled forth to scorch Julian, who screamed as the fire tore into him.

(Julian: 3200LP 1SPC)

The flames ended and Julian raised his head, undefeated.

"I end there with a face-down!" Jack laughed.

Julian 3200LP 1SPC/Jack 5900LP 6SPC

"I draw!" Julian yelled. Their Speed Counters increased (Julian: 2SPC) (Jack: 7SPC).

"Now I summon Nitro Synchron!" The propane tank appeared in a burst of flames (ATK: 300). "Now I'm using Speed Spell – Vision Wind to bring back Flamvell Paun!" The Spell Card appeared and Flamvell Paun burst from a vortex of energy (ATK: 200). "And finally, I activate Synchro Material, allowing me to use the whole field for a Synchro Summon!"

"What?!" Jack gasped.

"I'm Tuning Nitro Synchron with Flamvell Paun and your Mad Archfiend to Synchro Summon...!" Julian yelled. Nitro Synchron's pressure gauge shot into the red and the Tuner became a crackling sphere of orange aura that dissolved into two Synchro Gates. The gates encircled both Flamvell Paun and Mad Archfiend, reducing them to five glowing stars that exploded into an almighty inferno...

"United spirits come together as an inferno of justice!" Julian chanted "Become a legend of the flames! Synchro Summon! Ignite, Nitro Warrior!"

The green demon appeared, flames exploding from its form. "And because I just used Nitro Synchron to summon a Nitro Synchro Monster, I draw one card!" Julian called, drawing and smiling as he saw the card.

"What're you smirking about?!" Jack yelled.

"This Speed Spell!" Julian laughed "I activate my Speed Spell – Renewal Flare! With this, I can return a Fire monster from my Graveyard to my hand, and I choose Flamvell Baby!" The card slid out of his Graveyard and he picked it up.

"Now I discard Flamvell Baby to permanently increase Nitro Warrior's power by 400!" Nitro Warrior burst into flames (ATK: 3200). "And it's time to bring Red Dragon Archfiend down, once and for all! Nitro Warrior, attack Red Dragon Archfiend with Dynamite Crunch!" Nitro Warrior roared and charged, igniting his jet engine and soaring towards the colossal dragon as his power shot up (ATK: 4200).

"I activate Tuner's Mind!" Jack yelled "this returns Red Dragon Archfiend to the Extra Deck and brings the Synchro Materials back to the field!" Red Dragon Archfiend exploded with orange aura and separated into Dark Resonator (DEF: 300) and Twin-Sword Marauder (DEF: 1000). "And now Nitro Warrior has no choice but to attack Dark Resonator!" Nitro Warrior charged towards Dark Resonator and slammed a fist into the Fiend, but the Tuner's effect prevented its destruction.

"I end my turn with a face-down," Julian snarled.

Julian 3200LP 2SPC/Jack 5900LP 7SPC

"I draw!" Jack yelled. Clicks heralded the inevitable speed boost (Julian: 3SPC) (Jack: 8SPC).

"Now I activate Speed Spell – Repulse Rebirth! I'm using it to revive my Vice Dragon!" The black dragon appeared with a snarl, raising its talons menacingly (ATK: 2000). "I Tune Vice Dragon with Dark Resonator!" Dark Resonator vibrated and dissolved into three Synchro Gates that encircled Vice Dragon, reducing it to five glowing stars that exploded with dark purple light...

"The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Bear witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Dragon Archfiend!"

The demonic dragon appeared with a great roar (ATK: 3000).

"Now I summon Power Supplier!" Jack called. A grim-looking mage in a dark purple robe appeared, raising a staff of black wood (ATK: 400). "Now I activate Power Supplier's effect to raise Red Dragon Archfiend's attack points by 400 until the end of the turn!" Red Dragon Archfiend roared as a fiery crimson aura surrounded it (ATK: 3400).

29

"No," Kelsey whispered, looking on from the audience "Julian can't lose. He has to beat Jack."

"He won't lose," Drago said confidently "I know Julian. He'll find a way out of this."

"It's pretty hard to see a way out when Jack has Red Dragon Archfiend out," Milo noted drily.

29

"I activate Synchro Barrier!" Julian yelled as his face-down flipped up "with this, I Tribute Nitro Warrior and in exchange, I can't take damage this turn!" Nitro Warrior dissolved into golden dust and a green Synchro Gate appeared in front of Julian, blocking Red Dragon Archfiend's attack.

"Power Supplier, Twin-Sword Marauder, Red Dragon Archfiend!" Jack called "attack Julian directly!" The three monsters attacked, but their attacks were blocked by the Synchro Barrier.

29

"Why'd Jack attack if his monsters wouldn't do damage?" Kelsey asked.

"Because Red Dragon Archfiend destroys any monster you control that doesn't attack," Drago explained "it's probably the biggest problem with that card, and if Julian can just prevent it from attacking, he'll be able to overcome it."

29

"I end my turn," Jack sneered.

Julian 3200LP 3SPC/Jack 5900LP 8SPC

Julian drew silently, thinking quickly as he saw the card. Their Duel Runners sped up (Julian: 4SPC) (Jack: 9SPC).

"I activate Speed Spell – Angel Blessing!" Julian called "with this, so long as I have less than half the number of Speed Counters you do and I don't have more than four Speed Counters, I can draw four cards!" He drew the four cards and smiled.

"I activate Speed Spell – Synchron Unity. With this Speed Spell, I can Synchro Summon a monster from either Extra Deck this turn." Jack's eyes widened in horror.

"Now I summon Flamvell Hellion," Julian spoke. The flame demon appeared with a roar (ATK: 1600). "I activate Speed Spell – Repulse Rebirth to revive Flamvell Firedog." His hellhound barked as it appeared (ATK: 1900). "And now I'm Tuning Hellion with Firedog to bring out the very monster I'm saving."

Flamvell Hellion dissolved into a sphere of orange energy that rose into the air and split into four Synchro Gates that encircled Flamvell Helldog, reducing it to four glowing stars. The stars exploded with a blast of emerald aurora as Julian began a chant.

"The miraculous aura of this star's light illuminates all corners of my soul! The wings of the cosmos spread above this field of war! Synchro Summon! My salvation born... STARDUST DRAGON!"

With a melodious cry, Stardust Dragon burst into life, spreading its white wings over the track as stardust rained down onto Julian, who gave a wild cry of hope as he saw the miraculous light he had invoked to defeat Jack once and for all. The white and blue dragon of hope roared to the heavens as Red Dragon Archfiend roared in fury and Jack stared at it with horror.

Stardust Dragon's golden eyes flashed as it shone oh-so-bright, gliding above Julian like a guardian angel (ATK: 2500).

Jack seemed to recover as the point scores flashed up on his visor. "Stardust Dragon can't defeat Red Dragon Archfiend," he pointed out.

"As always, Jack, you fail to see the larger scope of things," Julian replied "I set a card." The face-down appeared alongside his Duel Runner. "Now, Stardust Dragon, attack Power Supplier with Cosmic Flare!" Stardust Dragon roared and reared up, unleashing shining white flames from its maw that incinerated Power Supplier and went on to strike Jack, who gasped in pain.

(Jack: 3800LP 7SPC)

Jack glared at Stardust Dragon as the flames ended.

"I end this turn," Julian said quietly.

"If Jack attacks Stardust Dragon with Red Dragon Archfiend, I'll activate Synchro Deflector to save Stardust and stop that Twin-Sword Marauder taking a chunk out of my Life Points," he thought "then I just need a decent draw next turn to win this once and for all."

Julian 3200LP 4SPC/Jack 3800LP 7SPC

Jack drew silently, glaring at Julian. Their Duel Runners sped up again (Julian: 5SPC) (Jack: 8SPC).

"Red Dragon Archfiend, attack Stardust Dragon! Scorching Crimson Flare!" he ordered. Red Dragon Archfiend roared and unleashed a torrent of crimson flames that shot towards Stardust Dragon...

"I activate Synchro Deflector!" Julian called "with this Trap Card, when you attack a Synchro Monster I control, the attack is negated and I can destroy one monster you control. I'm destroying Red Dragon Archfiend!" The torrent of flames struck an invisible shield and bounced back, engulfing Red Dragon Archfiend and shattering it. Jack gave a cry of rage as he watched his dragon burn.

"I'll end by throwing down a face-down," he spat. The card appeared.

Julian 3200LP 5SPC/Jack 3800LP 8SPC

"I draw!" Julian called, smirking as he saw which card he'd drawn. Clicks sounded as their Speed Counters went up (Julian: 6SPC) (Jack: 9SPC).

"I summon Flamvell Gurnika!" The purple-skinned dragon man appeared, snapping his talons and conjuring a fireball over his palm (ATK: 1700). "Flamvell Gurnika, attack Twin-Sword Marauder!" Flamvell Gurnika threw its fireball, incinerating the swordsman. Jack winced as Gurnika's effect reduced his Life Points by 800.

(Jack: 3000LP 9SPC)

"Stardust Dragon, attack Jack directly with Cosmic Flare!" Julian called. Stardust Dragon reared up, but Jack's Trap activated.

"I activate Revival Gift!" the aspiring King yelled "I'm using it to revive Dark Tinker!" The spider Fiend with a hag's face appeared (DEF: 1300).

"Fine then!" Julian yelled. The two Gift Fiend Tokens from Revival Gift appeared on his field in defence mode (DEF: 1500). "Stardust Dragon, attack Dark Tinker with Cosmic Flare!" Stardust Dragon breathed a stream of white flame, incinerating Dark Tinker instantly.

"I end my turn there."

Julian 3200LP 6SPC/Jack 3000LP 9SPC

"I draw!" Jack yelled. More clicks sounded as their Speed Counters increased and their Runners sped up (Julian: 7SPC) (Jack: 10SPC).

"I activate Speed Spell – Synchro Removal," Jack said "allowing me to remove from play any number of Synchro Monsters in my Graveyard and draw two cards for each. I'm removing Exploder Dragonwing and Red Dragon Archfiend!" He pulled the two cards from his Graveyard and placed them in a slot on his Duel Runner before drawing four cards.

"Next I'm activating Speed Spell – Synchro Fissure. This allows me to pick out any removed from play Synchro Monster and return it to my Extra Deck. Then I'm allowed to add a Tuner Monster from my Graveyard to my hand, so long as it's Level is less than half of the Synchro Monster's. I'm returning Red Dragon Archfiend to the Extra Deck and bringing Dark Resonator to my hand!" He placed Red Dragon Archfiend back in his Extra Deck and added Dark Resonator to his hand.

"Now what?" Julian asked "you can't summon it, there's no way you possibly bring it out."

"Oh really?" Jack said "I use the effect of Big Piece Golem to Normal Summon it from my hand." A giant, blocky creature in the shape of a boulder with short, thick legs and arms and crudely carved features appeared with a moan (ATK: 2100). "Next I activate Speed Spell – Summon Speeder to summon Dark Resonator!" The Fiend appeared with a cackle (ATK: 1300).

"Oh no," Julian whispered.

"I Tune Dark Resonator to Big Piece Golem!" Jack yelled. Dark Resonator struck its tuning fork and vibrated, becoming a sphere of crackling orange energy that split into three Synchro Gates, reducing Big Piece Golem to a framework that released five glowing stars. The stars exploded with a blast of dark purple aura...

And for the third time, Jack began his chant...

"The ruler's heartbeats will now file through here! Bear witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! My very soul, Red Dragon Archfiend!"

And for the third time, the demonic dragon appeared in a burst of hellfire, roaring to the heavens (ATK: 3000).

29

"No," Kelsey whispered "not again. He can't do this again."

"He already has," Drago sighed "I'll admit, Jack's showing himself as a good duelist. Not many people can bring out the same Synchro Monster three times in one duel."

29

Red Dragon Archfiend roared at its rival, who responded in kind. The two dragons faced off, mirroring each other with their poses, ready to attack on command.

"Now, Red Dragon Archfiend!" Jack shouted "attack Stardust Dragon! Scorching Crimson Flare!"

Red Dragon Archfiend roared and unleashed a storm of fire that engulfed Stardust Dragon, the dragon of hope screaming in pain as it desperately fought its own inevitable destruction, sending gusts of wind from the great wings and white flame from its maw to drive away the hellish flames of Red Dragon Archfiend, Stardust's heavenly grace struggling against hellish might.

Stardust Dragon brought its wings out in a great explosive burst of wind that tore through Red Dragon Archfiend's flames for but a second, revealing Stardust's full majesty and beauty as stardust exploded from its wings, shining silver particles that burned with a soft, beautiful glow.

But the demonic dragon would not be denied. It roared and unleashed more fire, catching Stardust Dragon vulnerable and off guard. Julian screamed as the flames ripped through Yusei's dragon and engulfed him too, both he and the white star dragon screaming in agony as hellish fire consumed them...

With a scream of mortal agony that rent the air and echoed eternally, Stardust Dragon became but ash on the wind. Red Dragon Archfiend gave a roar of triumph as Julian screamed, flames searing at his very core.

(Julian: 2700LP 7SPC)

The flames slowly died down, leaving Julian shaking, hands tight around the handlebars of his Runner. Jack laughed as his dragon roared, both jubilant in their triumph over Stardust Dragon.

Julian slowly raised his head, and as his eyes met Jack's, the aspiring King of New Domino's laughs died in his throat.

Julian's eyes burned with rage and hate, an inferno of terrible hatred and pain and rage. His soul was a roiling storm of infernal fire.

"You'll pay for that," he snarled. Red Dragon Archfiend gave a menacing growl, but Julian glared at the dragon and it fell silent...

TO BE CONTINUED...

So I used Stardust Dragon to fight Jack, but he destroyed it in the end. Stardust's destruction was what sent me spiralling into damnation, I know it was. Seeing that hope and light extinguished made my whole soul burn with anger. I wanted Jack to pay for what he'd done.

I was the one who suffered in the end though...

29

Card Stats:

7777777

Monsters:

7777777

Power Supplier

EARTH/ Spellcaster/Effect /Level 2/ATK: 400/DEF: 400

Once per turn, you can select 1 face-up monster you control. It gains 400 ATK until the End Phase.

(Power Supplier was used by Jack Atlas against Carly Carmine/Carly Nagisa in Episode 58 of Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's. Creative credit goes to the writers of 5D's.)

7777777

Spells:

7777777

Speed Spell – Count Up

Normal Spell Card

Image: A Duel Runner console in Duel Mode, displaying the Duel Field, Speed Counters, current speed and other such information.

Activate when your Speed Counters are 2 or higher. Send a number of cards from your hand to the Graveyard. Increase your Speed Counters by 2 for each card sent to the Graveyard by this effect.

(Speed Spell – Count Up was first used by Trudge/Tetsu Ushio against Ghost in Episode 65 of Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's. Credit goes to the writers of 5D's.)

7777777

Speed Spell – Vision Wind

Normal Spell Card

Image: Speed Warrior in a tornado of energy.

Activate only while you control a "Speed World" with 2 or more Speed Counters on it. Special Summon 1 Level 2 or lower monster from your Graveyard. That monster is destroyed during the End Phase of the turn.

(Speed Spell – Vision Wind was first used by Yusei against Trudge/Tetsu Ushio in Episode 1 of Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's. Credit goes to the writers of 5D's.)

7777777

Speed Spell – Renewal Flare

Normal Spell Card

Image: Flamvell Gurnika soaring out of a portal of flames into a sky coated in Speed World energy.

Activate only while you control a 'Speed World' or 'Speed World 2' with 2 or more Speed Counters on it. Add 1 FIRE monster with a Level equal to or less than your current Speed Counters from your Graveyard to your hand.

*

Speed Spell – Angel Blessing

Normal Spell Card

Image: Celestia, Lightsworn Angel flying in Speed World.

Activate only while you control a 'Speed World' or 'Speed World 2' with four or less Speed Counters on it and your total Speed Counters are less than half of your opponent's Speed Counters. Draw four cards.

*

Speed Spell – Synchron Unity

Normal Spell Card

Image: Junk Synchron, Turbo Synchron, Nitro Synchron and Road Synchron crashing their fists together, with a shadow of Stardust Dragon flying over them.

Activate only when you control a 'Speed World' or 'Speed World 2' with 4 or more Speed Counters on it. During this turn, you may Synchro Summon Synchro Monsters from either player's Extra Deck. Until your second Standby Phase after this turn's End Phase, you cannot Synchro Summon any Synchro Monsters.

*

Speed Spell – Synchro Removal

Normal Spell Card

Image: Colossal Fighter, Arcanite Magician and Hyper Psychic Blaster flying into Dimensional Fissure.

Activate only when you control a 'Speed World' or 'Speed World 2' with 6 or more Speed Counters on it. Remove from play any number of Synchro Monsters in your Graveyard and draw two cards for each monster removed.

*

Speed Spell – Synchro Fissure

Normal Spell Card

Image: Exploder Dragonwing flying towards the man depicted on Assault Mode Activate, with Sinister Sprocket gripped in its talons.

Activate only while you control a 'Speed World' or 'Speed World 2' with six or more Speed Counters on it. Return one of your removed from play Synchro Monsters to your Extra Deck. Then, select one Tuner Monster in your Graveyard with a Level equal to or less than half of that Synchro Monster's Level and add it to your hand.

(The above five cards are my own inventions and creative credit for them goes to me.)

7777777

Traps:

7777777

Flare Bonding

Normal Trap Card

Image: Flamvell Archer appearing from a portal in between Flamvell Fiend and Felgrand Dragon.

Activate only when a FIRE monster you control is declared as an attack target. Special Summon a FIRE monster from your Deck with a lower Level than the targeted monster.

(Flare Bonding is my own invention and creative credit for it goes to me.)

7777777

Change Destiny

Normal Trap Card

Image: A boy in a green jacket and brown trousers standing in front of two doors, one red, one blue. (The door colours are a subtle reference to the blue and red pills in The Matrix.)

Negate the attack of 1 monster your opponent controls. Your opponent then selects and activates one of the following effects:
● You gain Life Points equal to the ATK of the monster.
● Your opponent takes damage equal to half the ATK of the monster.

(Change Destiny was first used by Jack Atlas against Carly Carmine/Carly Nagisa in Episode 59 of Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's. Creative credit goes to the writers of 5D's.)

7777777

Synchro Material

Normal Trap Card

Image: A green sphere of energy with several Synchro Gates surrounding it.

During the turn you activate this card, you can use monsters on either side of the field as Synchro Material Monsters for Synchro Summons.

(Synchro Material was first used by Yusei against Ghost in Episode 66 of Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's. Credit goes to the writers of 5D's.)

7777777

Tuner's Mind

Normal Trap Card

Image: Tune Warrior and Airknight Parshath leaping from bursts of electric blue energy, while Light End Dragon soars over them.

Activate only when a Synchro Monster you control is selected as an attack target, return it to the Extra Deck. If the Synchro Material Monsters are in your Graveyard, you can Special Summon them. The monster that declared an attack on the Synchro Monster must then attack the Tuner monster Special Summoned.

(Tuner's Mind was first used by Jack Atlas against Yusei Fudo in Episode 26 of Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's. Credit goes to the writers of 5D's.)

7777777

Synchro Barrier

Normal Trap Card

Image: The man depicted on Assault Mode Activate behind a Synchro Gate blocking a jet of flames.

Tribute 1 Synchro Monster. You take no damage this turn.

(Synchro Barrier was released in the Stardust Overdrive set in Japan. The set should be released in the TCG in November.)

29

Digidramon: So Julian uses Stardust Dragon against Jack! That was an utterly incredible chapter to write, and I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, folks!

Akiza: I'll admit it, that was a good Turbo Duel. Digidramon does not own Yu-Gi-Oh of any kind, and if he did, he'd make a character who uses a Different Dimension Deck based on his own.

Digidramon: My Different Dimension Deck, a pure unstoppable force! Based on the Dark Emperor Structure Deck, actually. I tend to use Gren Maju Da Eiza as a finishing card, as I can use it to get through Gravity Bind, Morphtronic Bind etc.

Jack: Whatever. I really kicked Julian's ass in that Duel.

Julian: It isn't over yet, jackass. You might have taken down Stardust Dragon, but I still have Flamvell Nidhogg and the card Jaden gave me!

Digidramon: Trust me people, that card is important. And I'll give you a hint, it has something to do with the Waking the Dragons arc... but it isn't Timaeus, Critias or Hermos...

Crow: Sounds neat, whatever it is. For today's cards, we'll have Stardust Dragon, Red Dragon Archfiend, Synchro Material, Speed Spell – Synchron Unity and Synchro Barrier.

Digidramon: I'm making the choice today. For me, only one card could ever win Featured Card for this chapter, and that's Stardust Dragon. As Yusei's Signer Dragon, it has the support of belonging to a series main character, and also has a well-earned place in many a tournament Extra Deck. In fact, I have this little goal to get all of the Five Dragons, and Stardust Dragon was the first one I got (incidentally, the second was Black Rose Dragon, maybe why I like Faithshipping so much...)

But yeah, Stardust Dragon is a great card. Its ability to Tribute itself to stop any effect that destroys a card on the field puts paid to many destruction cards. The only ones it can't negate are ones that aren't certain destruction, such as Snipe Hunter. However, Stardust has a massive weakness. It can't return itself to the field if removed from play, so Macro Cosmos and Dimensional Fissure absolutely massacre Stardust Dragon.

Aster: Sounds like a neat card anyway.

Digidramon: It's odd. I actually have two major Decks, a Yusei themed Synchro based Deck with Stardust Dragon as the ace, and my Different Dimension Deck. My D.D. Deck can easily beat Stardust Dragon, which is my favourite of the Five Dragons. Weird, huh?

Anyway, next time on Seven Spirits. Julian and Jack continue their Duel, going from strength to strength as Jack calls forth his Assault Mode Red Dragon Archfiend once more. As Julian unleashes Flamvell Nidhogg, will Jack call on a monster powerful enough to defeat one of the Seven Spirits? And if he does, what will the consequences be for Julian? Will he lose what he holds closest to his heart? Will Flamvell Nidhogg claim another soul for its own?

To find out, read Chapter 30 of Seven Spirits: Playing With Fire...