(Author's Note: A certain set of anime-only cards used in this chapter are particularly notorious when it comes to sources getting their effects wrong. I would just like to say that the effects I display for them in this chapter are what my source states they are, and so I would like to ask not to be told that I've got them wrong. Having watched the episodes myself, the effects my source states seem accurate to me.)
Chapter 38: Ragnarok
As the Signers set out on their destined mission to defeat the Dark Signers and reverse the rotation of the Old Enerdy, another helicopter was just arriving in New Domino.
It was a sleek black model, something like a military Apache gunship, but lacking any armaments, and on both sides was a single logo, the letters SC in runic script, outlined by rose petals.
Within the helicopter, the lone pilot gazed down at the city. "New Domino City… a city under siege, just as its predecessor was… but this time I feel that they need a little outside help…"
The pilot was a tall, slender man, dressed in a deep purple suit with a rose set into a buttonhole. His long, flowing hair was rich purple in color, his eyes a deep brown. On his arm was a rich purple Duel Disk, highlighted in gold.
His name was Sigurd von Schroeder, son of Leon von Schroeder and the current CEO of Schroeder Corp, the major rival to Kaiba Corp. Despite the historic rivalry between the two companies, Kisara Kaiba and Sigurd were good friends, lovers even.
"Kisara…" Sigurd murmured as he beheld the Kaiba Corp tower, his keen eyes easily picking out the lone figure stood beside the helipad. He skillfully maneuvered the helicopter into land, the task incredibly easy to him in the still, perfect conditions. As the rotors of the helicopter came to a halt, he was stepping out of the door to meet Kisara.
"Sigurd," she welcomed.
"Kisara," he replied softly, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I came as soon as I heard… about those demons that were summoned…"
"You'd come calling if I got a paper cut," she laughed, and despite the darkness around, Sigurd couldn't help but smile at that as they pulled apart.
"What's the situation?"
"Goodwin's just dispatched a group to Satellite," she informed him as they walked inside. "I think they're the ones who have to defeat the ones behind this, so for now, we have to leave them to it. Over here, there's mass rioting… the public are spooked by these events and they want answers that Goodwin isn't going to give them. Security are stressed to breaking point trying to deal with it… they can't cope much longer."
"Then they'll be glad to know two helicopters of my best men are on the way to reinforce them," Sigurd said. "I anticipated disorder from the moment I saw the footage… but Kisara, do you know what those things were? That lizard, and the hummingbird… they looked like the geoglyphs of the Nazca Lines."
"Truthfully, I only know their title – Earthbound Immortals," Kisara murmured. "A few weeks ago, Julian came to visit me, to give me a warning. He told me to get out of this city as fast as I could, because the shadows were rising. I didn't listen… but now I wish I had."
"So Julian is knowledgeable of these creatures?" Sigurd mused.
"Yes, but he admitted he knew too little to help. He did mention a group of five who were destined to defeat the beings causing this chaos, so I presume right now he's with them or trying to gather them."
"We shall have to hope that these five are ready to confront those behind this," Sigurd said softly. "For now, all we can do is aid Security as best we can in keeping order."
"I've already dispatched most of my security men out to try and help where they can, but they've been reporting that the situation is too much even for them to handle."
"Then we shall help them in person," he told her silkily. "After all, I know no man who would not cower from the spectacle of your three Blue-Eyes White Dragons unleashed upon them, and my Valkyries shall strike a terror in their hearts like nothing they have ever known." She gave a laugh.
"You always were melodramatic," Kisara chuckled.
"Would you love me if I were otherwise?" Sigurd replied with a soft smile, his lips brushing on hers briefly. "Now, let us put down this rabble…"
38
The forces of Sector Security were overwhelmed. Riot squads had been deployed in force to contain the outbreaks of violence provoked by desperate citizens, their plastic shields forming protective cordons against the crowds. Elsewhere in the city, those with a mind for justice were doing all they could to help.
Drago's Elemental Hero Terra Firma knocked one rioter flying back with a savage blow to the chest, while beside him another rioter was hurled to the ground by a blast of power from the maw of Naturia Extrio. Blake and Drago nodded to each other, running to find new opponents.
"Backup!" a nearby Security shouted into his radio as his riot squad collided with an angry mob, bricks and other projectiles bouncing off of the riot shields. The officers raised their batons threateningly at the mob, striking out to try and repulse the attack, but they were close to breaking point…
Then a surge of vibrant light engulfed the heavens and a perfect dragon soared into view with an almighty roar, its skin a cerulean-tinged white, its eyes cobalt blue. Its form was rounded and streamlined, its immense wings carrying it into the heavens. The Blue-Eyes White Dragon gave another almighty roar that sent the crowd rushing back to a safer position, then the riot shields parted as Sigurd and Kisara stepped through the Security officers.
"Who is leading this insolent rabble?!" Sigurd demanded, provoking mutterings from the crowd.
"No way… Kaiba and von Schroeder, here?"
"We're screwed!"
"We can't fight them…"
"We are!" With that, a young couple strode from the crowd, dressed in black leather, their Duel Disks jet-black. The girl had long black hair and pale grey eyes, while the boy had short-cropped brown hair and dark green eyes.
"What the hell are you high-and-mighty bastards doing here?!" the boy demanded.
"Insolent wretch!" Sigurd proclaimed. "Be silent! You are rebelling against the benevolent authority which has shaped this city into a utopia, and you have the nerve to insult Kisara and I as well?!"
"Stop talking like something out of Shakespeare!" the girl snapped. Kisara's Blue-Eyes White Dragon gave a fierce growl which silenced them both.
"Let us settle this in a civilized manner," Sigurd said. "We shall Duel you, two sets of one-on-one. If you both achieve victory, then we shall leave you to your riot. Should we both achieve victory, you shall cease and desist. Should there be one victory and one loss to each side, then the matter shall be settled by the two victors facing one another. Does that seem an acceptable offer to you?"
"Sounds good to me," the boy laughed.
"I'm all for it!" the girl added. The two sides took their positions, Kisara against the girl, Sigurd against the boy.
"Ladies first," Sigurd decided, nodding to Kisara.
"The name's Claire!" the girl declared as their Disks activated and they drew their opening hands. Kisara's Blue-Eyes White Dragon faded away.
"DUEL!"
Kisara 8000LP/Claire 8000LP
"You can have first turn," Kisara said.
"Why, thank you," Claire mocked as she drew. "I activate Polymerization, fusion together Red-Eyes Black Dragon and Meteor Dragon in my hand to Fusion Summon…!" A large, barbed black dragon with crimson eyes, and a strange dragon made from a meteorite appeared, entering the void of Polymerization…
"Red-Eyes…" Kisara murmured, recalling how she herself had once used those monsters.
"Rise, Meteor Black Dragon!" Claire shouted. With an almighty roar, a molten behemoth of a dragon rose up, covered in lava and volcanic rock, its body huge and misshapen (ATK: 3500). "Now I summon Red-Eyes Wyvern!" A dragon that looked like a teenage version of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon appeared with a shriek (ATK: 1800).
"I'll end with that!"
Kisara 8000LP/Claire 8000LP
"My draw," Kisara said calmly, pulling the card from her Deck. "I activate Harmony's Treasure, discarding The White Stone of Legend to draw twice." She placed the monster into her Graveyard and drew two more cards. "And now since The White Stone of Legend was sent to the Graveyard, I can add a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Deck to my hand." The card slid from her Deck and she took it into her hand.
"I activate Summoner's Art, allowing me to add a Level Five or higher Normal Monster from my Deck to my hand, like another Blue-Eyes White Dragon." A second Blue-Eyes slid from her Deck and into her hand.
"Two monsters you can't summon!" Claire jeered.
"Don't insult my Dragons," Kisara snapped. "I activate Double Spell, letting me discard a Spell Card to use a Spell Card from your Graveyard." She placed Burst Stream of Destruction into the Graveyard and Double Spell was replaced by Polymerization. "I use Polymerization to fuse together all three Blue-Eyes White Dragons in my hand to summon…!"
All three copies of the majestic dragon, all but one that existed in the world, appeared before her and soared into the heavens, colliding in a prominence of white fire and light…
"Descend, Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!" Kisara shouted. There was an eternal roar as her monster descended, a colossal three-headed Blue-Eyes White Dragon that shone with exalted radiance as it soared over her, all six of its eyes glaring into Claire's, its three maws opening to give one unified roar that struck utter terror into Kisara's opponent… (ATK: 4500)
"A good play, my dear," Sigurd murmured as he beheld the Ultimate Dragon.
"Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack Meteor Black Dragon with Neutron Blast!" Energy crackled within the dragon's three maws, exploding forth as an almighty blast that obliterated every trace of Meteor Black Dragon, Claire screaming as it tore into her.
(Claire 7000LP)
"You… haven't won…" the protester groaned, only to see Kisara flip around a card in her hand and place it into her Disk.
"I activate the Quick-Play Spell, De-Fusion!" she shouted. "This lets me split my Ultimate Dragon back into three Blue-Eyes White Dragons!" The Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon shattered into white light that reformed into the three Blue-Eyes White Dragons (ATK: 3000x3).
"This is finished," Sigurd said silkily, totaling the points.
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack Red-Eyes Wyvern!" Kisara cried. "White Lightning!" The dragon roared, unleashing a stream of radiant white and blue power from its maw that obliterated Red-Eyes Wyvern before smashing into Claire.
(Claire 5800LP)
"Now, my dragons!" Kisara said. "End this Duel with your WHITE LIGHTNING!" The remaining two dragons roared, unleashing their White Lightning attacks in unison. Claire screamed as the blasts smashed down onto her…
Kisara 8000LP/Claire 0LP
The cards faded away as Claire stood in stunned silence, smoke billowing from her clothes. Her fellow protester stared in shock at her.
"One victory to our side," Sigurd said. "One more and your disorder is at an end."
"Yeah, well, Richie Daniels is gonna give you a beating you ain't gonna forget, Schroeder!" the boy said sharply, activating his Disk as Sigurd did the same. They drew their opening hands in silence, Richie glaring at Sigurd, who responded with a noble stare.
"DUEL!"
Sigurd 8000LP/Richie 8000LP
"You can have the first play," Sigurd said calmly. Richie drew and smirked.
"I summon Fiend Roar Deity Raven!" he shouted. In a flare of dark light, a tall, demonic man with pale skin, clad in jet black armor appeared, wing-like blades adorning each of his hips. His crimson eyes glared at Sigurd balefully (ATK: 1300). "Now I activate the effect of Fiend Roar Deity Raven, letting me discard any number of cards for him to get 400 points and a Level for each card!" He threw two cards into his Graveyard and Raven glowed with baleful energy (ATK: 2100/Level 4).
"I activate the effect of Fiend Roar Deity Solcius in my Graveyard, tossing two cards to Special Summon him!" He threw two more cards into his Graveyard and another flare of dark light erupted, forming into a tall, grim, muscular man clad in a black tunic and trousers, with a draconic tail and wings. Solcius gave a savage roar as he landed beside Raven (ATK: 2200).
"Plus, one of the cards I just discarded was Fiend Roar Deity Cruz, so I can Special Summon any Level Four or below Fiend Roar Deity other than Cruz from my Graveyard! I summon Fiend Roar Deity Galbas!" Another demonic creature appeared, this one clad in dark metal armor, wielding an immense spiked ball on a chain (ATK: 1500). "I Tune Fiend Roar Deity Raven to Fiend Roar Deity Galbas… Synchro Summon…!"
Raven roared and faded into four Synchro Gates that encircled Galbas, reducing it to four stars that collided in a flare of dark light…
"Power sealed in ages past, rise from your prison to avenge those ages! Strike with the fury of eternity! Synchro Summon! Arise, Fiend Roar Deity Valkiris!"
The Synchro Monster descended, a heavily built demon clad in black and crimson samurai armor. With a savage roar, he drew a blazing katana from mid-air (ATK: 2900).
"I activate the effect of Fiend Roar Deity Valkiris, letting me toss a Fiend, like another Fiend Roar Deity Cruz, to draw a card!" He threw Cruz into his Graveyard and drew again. "I use Cruz to revive Galbas!" Fiend Roar Deity Galbas rose once more (ATK: 1500). "Now I toss Fiend Roar Deity Mihztorji, so I can treat any Fiend Roar Deity as a Tuner!" Galbas glowed with energy.
"Another Synchro Summon?" Sigurd murmured.
"I Tune Galbas to Solcius!" Galbas roared and faded into four Synchro Gates that encircled Solcius, reducing him to six glowing stars that collided in a virtual nova of demonic light…
"Lord of the sealed gods, rise up to lead your forces to war! Unleash your powers upon this world! Synchro Summon! Rise, Fiend Roar Deity Levuathan!"
The tallest and mightiest Fiend Roar Deity yet descended, clad in noble red and gold armor, strange goggles over his eyes. His demonic wings were blood-red, as was his long hair. Levuathan laughed darkly as he landed, Valkiris kneeling beside him (ATK: 3000).
"I'll end there," Richie laughed.
Sigurd 8000LP/Richie 8000LP
Sigurd drew in silence, before plucking one card from his hand delicately.
"This farce is over," he declared, playing it. As the card slid into place, a very famous opera tune began to play, the legendary Ride of the Valkyries composed by Richard Wagner.
"No… it can't be…" Richie whispered, knowing what the card was even before it appeared.
"I activate the Spell Card, Ride of the Valkyries!" Sigurd shouted. "This allows me to Special Summon from my hand as many monsters as possible with the word Valkyrie in their name! I summon two Valkyrie Erste and two Valkyrie Zwei!"
A veil of rainbow light obscured the sky, and from it descended four beautiful, armored maidens on horseback. The first two were clearly sisters, identical in appearance, wearing golden helms and blue armor and astride grey steeds (ATK: 1600x2). The second two were also sisters, clad in pale blue armor with bubblegum pink hair, their steeds a lighter shade of grey (ATK: 1600x2).
The four Valkyries alighted before Sigurd with stern smiles on their faces, glaring chill gazes at Richie and the Fiend Roar Deities, who trembled as the warrior maidens drew their swords.
"Their effects activate," Sigurd said softly. "Firstly, upon summoning, Valkyrie Zwei destroys a single monster you control." The two Zwei raised their hands and spears of golden light rained from the heavens, impaling Fiend Roar Deities Valkiris and Levuathan, who screamed and shattered.
"When Levuathan is destroyed, I get three Fiend Roar Deities from my Graveyard to my hand!" Richie shouted, pulling three cards from his Graveyard.
"That is irrelevant, as you shall not have a turn in which to utilize them," Sigurd said. "I activate the effects of both Valkyrie Erste. For each, I can remove from play a single monster in your Graveyard," Valkiris and Levuathan slid from Richie's Graveyard, "and then Erste takes that monster's original attack points as her own." Both Valkyrie Erste glowed with energy (ATK: 2900) (ATK: 3000). The blood drained from Richie's face.
"This farce is at its end," Sigurd declared. "My noble Valkyries, strike him down." All four Valkyries urged their steeds forwards and their swords ripped into Richie, who screamed as his Life Points were obliterated in an instant.
Sigurd 8000LP/Richie 0LP
Richie collapsed, his eyes wide with horrified shock. The four Valkyries cantered back to Sigurd, who smiled at them before they vanished into motes of golden light.
"End this riot at once!" Sigurd commanded. "Our agreement stands. You were defeated, and so you cease this disorder."
"Never!" someone in the crowd shouted, but they were promptly silenced by the remainder of the mob, who were stunned into near-silence by the ease with which Kisara and Sigurd had achieved victory. Slowly the crowd dispersed, prompting sighs of relief from the Security riot squad.
"Get to where you are needed," Sigurd told the captain of the squad. "There are many other mobs of people across this city, and assistance with them is sorely needed."
"Yes, sir!" the captain said with a salute, marching his men away. Kisara and Sigurd remained standing there for a while.
"You were brilliant," Sigurd finally said. "It always thrills me watching you summon those dragons."
"Well, you were amazing," Kisara told him, gently kissing him. "And you always are." He laughed good-naturedly.
"Let's go help this city…"
38
Elsewhere, April was among a squad of regular Security trying to stop another mob. They had established a barricade consisting of two Security vans parked across a street, with the officers on the roofs. Those who had riot shields were forming a protective wall against projectiles, while some clutched at weapons loaded with rubber mercy bullets, occasionally firing one into the crowd to try and discourage them. So far, all these tactics had done was stalled the mob.
"We can't hold out much longer!" one of the riot officers shouted as he blocked a hurled brick with his shield.
"Backup will take at least fifteen minutes!" another officer shouted over the din.
"We need to stall them!" the captain yelled. April knew then what to do.
"Captain!" she called to him. "Let me go down there and try to negotiate with them!"
"It's too dangerous, officer Mikuro!"
"Look, we'll be overwhelmed long before backup arrives," she said. "I can stall for time, let the backup get here. I'll try and convince their leader to Duel me, offer them information if they can win. It's a long shot, but its our only option." The captain considered for a moment.
"Go, then," he said. "I pray you can do it, April." She nodded, moving to the shield-wall of riot officers, who parted a brief gap for her to leap down from. As she landed, the mob were on her.
"Where's Goodwin?!"
"Get that bastard here now!"
A hail of mercy bullets quickly sent them running back from her. April snatched a megaphone thrown down to her by the captain and activated it.
"People of New Domino City!" she called over it. "I order you to cease and desist at once! You are committing a public order offence!"
"To hell with that!" They threatened to surge at her, only the threat of the mercy bullets holding them back.
"Very well!" April declared, raising her Duel Disk arm. "I have a proposition for you. Let your chosen representative come over here and Duel against me. If they win, then we will let you pass and arrange matters with Director Goodwin for you to receive information relating to the recent events. If I win, then you will stop this and go home." There was a muttering among the crowd for a while, then they parted to let a man walk through.
He was tall and thin, dressed in a long white coat, his Duel Disk shaped like a shield. His face was covered by a white mask, and his hands were gloved again in white.
"Who the hell are you?" April snapped.
"You can call me Hyperion," he said, and she got the distinct impression he was smirking. But that name meant something to her.
"Hyperion… as in the Ancient Greek Titan of Light?" she murmured. Hyperion nodded.
"Precisely," he said. "Now, I understand you have a proposition for me?"
"Duel me," April said. "If you win, I will arrange a meeting with Goodwin for you. If you lose, the lot of you cease and desist." Hyperion considered it for a moment.
"That sounds a fair offer," he concluded. "I accept your challenge, April Mikuro." She gasped.
"How do you know my name?!" she demanded. Hyperion remained silent as their Disks activated and he drew his opening hand. With a muttered curse, April drew her own opening hand.
"DUEL!"
April 8000LP/Hyperion 8000LP
"Ladies first," Hyperion said mockingly. April snarled as she pulled the top card from her Deck.
"I summon X-Saber Passiul!" she shouted, throwing the card onto her Disk. The grizzled X-Saber with cybernetic eye appeared, raising his broadsword (ATK: 100). "Now I throw down two face-downs, and end my turn!" The two reversed cards appeared.
April 8000LP/Hyperion 8000LP
"I draw," Hyperion said, a card automatically shooting from his Deck into his hand. "I call to the field Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior." A tall, noble warrior with a grizzled appearance appeared in a flare of radiance, clad in white plate armor that bared his midriff, his hair a black mane. Garoth shouted a battle cry as he hefted a large battleaxe in his hands (ATK: 1850).
"I now cast the magic, Solar Recharge. By discarding one Lightsworn monster from my hand to my Graveyard, I draw two cards, and then two more are sent from the Deck to the Graveyard." He placed a copy of Wulf, Lightsworn Beast into the Graveyard, and two cards shot from his Deck into his hand, before he placed two more cards into the Graveyard.
"Lightsworns," April snarled. "I hate them."
"Many of my opponents share your sentiments," Hyperion commented. "One of the cards banished by Solar Recharge was the Equip Spell, Lightsworn Sabre, which now is equipped to a Lightsworn monster I control." Garoth's battleaxe vanished in a flare of light, reforming into an elegant rapier. "Lightsworn Sabre grants the equipped monster 700 additional attack points." Garoth shone with energy (ATK: 2550).
"While I am aware of your X-Saber Passiul's effect, you shall still suffer harm if he is attacked in his current position. Garoth, strike her Passiul!" Garoth surged forwards and slashed the Lightsworn Rapier into Passiul, who blocked the strike with his sword.
"I activate Defense Draw, reducing the damage to zero and letting me draw once!" April shouted. The glowing barrier knocked Garoth back as she drew a card. Hyperion gave a growl of irritation.
"I end my turn with the casting of two face-down cards," he snapped, throwing the cards into his Disk.
April 8000LP/Hyperion 8000LP
"I draw!" April shouted. "I summon XX-Saber Darksoul!" A flare of darkness erupted before her, forming into a dark armor-clad X-Saber with pale skin, a crimson cloak billowing out behind him as he raised a wicked scythe (ATK: 100). "Now I Tune together X-Saber Passiul and XX-Saber Darksoul to Synchro Summon…!"
Passiul closed his eyes and faded into two Synchro Gates that soared upwards with Darksoul, reducing the reaper to three glowing stars that collided in a flash of power…
"The fierce envoy of justice shall now appear upon this battlefield! Synchro Summon! Ride onwards, X-Saber Wayne!"
X-Saber Wayne landed neatly before her, rising to his full height as he drew his Gunblade (ATK: 2100).
"Because I Synchro Summoned X-Saber Wayne, I can Special Summon a Level Four or lower Warrior from my hand, like X-Saber Galahad!" April called, playing the card. The toad-like warrior that was X-Saber Galahad rose up, brandishing his spear (ATK: 1800).
"Pathetic," Hyperion scoffed. "Neither monster can contend with my Garoth." April smirked.
"Not on this field, they can't," she said as she played a Field Spell. "But let's enter their home turf... I activate the Field Spell Card, Saber Vault!" There was a flash of white light that faded to reveal them inside a noble shrine, with an altar bearing the Sparkling Sword within an alcove nearby. Both of April's X-Sabers seemed more confident here, glowing with power.
"What does this place do?" Hyperion demanded.
"Within the Saber Vault, the spirits of the past lend their power to the X-Sabers," April explained. "As such, all X-Sabers in play gain attack points equal to their Level times 100, at the cost of losing the same amount of defense points." Wayne (ATK: 2600) and Galahad (ATK: 2200) glowed with energy. "X-Saber Galahad, strike down Garoth!"
"Your monster is weaker!" Hyperion scoffed.
"When Galahad attacks a monster, he gains 500 points!" April retorted as the charging Galahad glowed more brightly (ATK: 2700). Then one of Hyperion's face-downs lifted up.
"I activate the Continuous Trap Card, Lightsworn Barrier," he declared. "Now when a Lightsworn monster I control is declared an attack target, I can simply send two cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard to negate the attack." He took two cards from his Deck and placed them into his Graveyard, and a barrier of light blocked Galahad's charge.
"X-Saber Wayne, attack!" April shouted. Wayne opened fire, but two more cards from Hyperion's Deck entered the Graveyard and the Lightsworn Barrier defended Garoth again, Galahad weakening (ATK: 2200).
"One of the cards sent to my Graveyard to negate your last attack was Wulf, Lightsworn Beast, whose effect now Special Summons him to my side of the field," Hyperion said smugly. A flare of light erupted, forming into a noble warrior with the head of a white wolf, clad in plate armor similar to Garoth's. Wulf hefted a large halberd in his grip as he gave a snarl (ATK: 2100).
"I end my turn with a face-down card!" April finished angrily, throwing the card into her Disk. "Now the effect of XX-Saber Darksoul activates, adding any X-Saber from my Deck to my hand!" She took XX-Saber Boggart Knight from her Deck into her hand.
April 8000LP/Hyperion 8000LP
"I draw," Hyperion said. "I Release Wulf, Lightsworn Beast to Advance Summon the mighty Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon." Wulf's body dissolved into light that reformed into an immense noble white dragon, with a mane of golden hair, white angelic wings and clad in silver and gold armor. A single glowing horn crowned its head, Gragonith shining with energy as it alighted before Hyperion (ATK: 2000).
"I activate Saber Hole, destroying your Dragon!" April shouted. The Trap lifted up and Gragonith shattered like glass. Needless to say, Hyperion was not amused.
"I activate the Continuous Trap, Glorious Illusion," he said drily. "This Special Summons a Lightsworn monster from my Graveyard." As Glorious Illusion lifted up, Gragonith reappeared in a flare of light (ATK: 2000). "Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon gains 300 attack and defense points for every different Lightsworn monster in my Graveyard. Currently there are three, Wulf, Lightsworn Beast, Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress and Shire, Lightsworn Spirit." Gragonith glowed with energy and light (ATK: 2900).
"Damn it!" April swore fiercely.
"I am fully aware of the effect of X-Saber Galahad," Hyperion commented. "Garoth, strike down X-Saber Galahad!" Garoth charged as Galahad weakened (ATK: 1700), ruthlessly cutting down the X-Saber. April snarled in pain as the Lightsworn Sabre ripped across her chest.
(April 7150LP)
"Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon, destroy X-Saber Wayne," the man said. "Stellar Nova!" With an almighty roar, a blaze of light ripped from Gragonith's maw like a thousand arrows and pierced through Wayne, who screamed and shattered before the light smashed into April, sending her crashing back into the Security vans.
(April 6850LP)
"I end my turn," Hyperion said. "The effect of Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon activates, sending three cards from my Deck to my Graveyard." He discarded Vanquishing Light, Light Spiral and Rinyan, Lightsworn Rogue, causing Gragonith to shine more brightly (ATK: 3200). "Since cards were sent from my Deck to the Graveyard by a Lightsworn monster's effect, Garoth sends two more cards, and for each that is a Lightsworn, I draw a card." He placed two more cards into his Graveyard, Jain, Lightsworn Paladin and Solar Recharge. Then he drew once as Gragonith glowed even brighter (ATK: 3500).
"Glorious Illusion also sends two cards from my Deck to the Graveyard." He threw out Beckoning Light and The Transmigration Prophecy this time.
April 6850LP/Hyperion 8000LP
"I draw," April said. "The only monster I have capable of beating his Gragonith now is Gatmuz… and I can't Synchro Summon him yet… I don't have the right cards…" She scanned her field, hand and Graveyard. "But I can at least hold this bastard back…"
"I summon the XX-Saber Boggart Knight!" she shouted, throwing the card onto her Disk. In a flare of energy, a monster resembling Vorse Raider clad in dull bronze armor rose up, brandishing a longsword that shone with electric blue light (ATK: 1900 - 2300). "When XX-Saber Boggart Knight is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level Four or lower X-Saber from my hand, and I choose X-Saber Airbellum!" With a feral snarl, the lion-humanoid X-Saber appeared (ATK: 1600 - 1900).
"Your creatures cannot prevail against the light," Hyperion proclaimed.
"Justice always prevails!" April shouted. "I Tune together XX-Saber Boggart Knight and X-Saber Airbellum to Synchro Summon…!" Airbellum faded into three Synchro Gates that encircled Boggart Knight, reducing him to four glowing stars that collided in a flare of power…
"A savage, pure soul now comes forth to strike down the enemy of Justice! Synchro Summon! Do battle, X-Saber Urbellum!"
X-Saber Urbellum appeared with a roar, drawing his swords (ATK: 2200 - 2900).
"Now I activate the Trap Card, One Seriousness, and equip it to Urbellum!" April shouted. Urbellum gave another roar as his swords ignited with power (ATK: 3700). "X-Saber Urbellum, attack Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon!" Urbellum charged, but was repulsed by Lightsworn Barrier as Hyperion placed Judgment Dragon and a second Lightsworn Barrier into his Graveyard.
"That's one of two gone…" April thought. "You're only allowed to run two copies of Judgment Dragon… I just have to get the other one in his Graveyard and make sure they stay there… then I'll be fine."
"I presume you find this a triumph," Hyperion said. "But the loss on one Judgment Dragon matters little to me."
"How does losing both matter?" April retorted.
"That would not be any cause for concern," Hyperion replied silkily.
"We'll see," the Security officer said. "I end my turn."
April 6850LP/Hyperion 8000LP
"My turn," Hyperion said, drawing. "I Release Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon to Advance Summon another Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon." Gragonith faded away, only to be replaced by another (ATK: 2000 - 3800).
"Oh crap," April muttered.
"Now to leave this wretched vault," her opponent said as he played a Field Spell. "I activate the Field Spell Card, Realm of Light." Blinding light washed over them as the Saber Vault was swept away, replaced by a glorious city of regal marble, shining with exalted radiance. Urbellum groaned (ATK: 3100). "Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon, annihilate her X-Saber Urbellum with Stellar Nova!" Gragonith roared, unleashing the flare of blazing light from its maw and shattering Urbellum. April screamed as the blast smashed her into the Security van again.
(April 6150LP)
"Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior, attack her directly!" Garoth lunged and slashed at April with the Lightsworn Sabre.
(April 3600LP)
"Your defeat comes swiftly," Hyperion declared. "And with it, comes an encounter with Rex Goodwin."
"Why are you doing this?" April asked as she stood. "Why are you standing by them?"
"I care not for the rabble. I care only to meet Rex Goodwin and purge him from this world," Hyperion proclaimed. "His throne shall be mine. I shall reign over this city of light and obliterate the darkness that stains it."
"You mean you'll defeat those demons…?"
"The Earthbound Immortals… the light shall purge them. And then my glorious reign shall begin, and my siblings shall rise to rule with me."
"Siblings?"
"You need not know of them yet," Hyperion told her firmly. "For now, decide whether you shall submit, or continue this farce of a battle."
"I'll fight on!" April roared.
"Then I end my turn, activating the effect of Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon." He placed his second Glorious Illusion, a third Solar Recharge and his first copy of Ehren, Lightsworn Monk into his Graveyard, making Gragonith shine brighter (ATK: 4100), as a glowing orb appeared above the Realm of Light. "As a card was sent from my Deck to the Graveyard by a card effect, the Realm of Light gains a Shine Counter, and for each it has, my Lightsworns gain 100 attack points." Garoth (ATK: 2650) and Gragonith (ATK: 4200) shone with radiance.
"Now Garoth's effect activates in response to Gragonith's." He placed Jenis, Lightsworn Mender and a second Light Spiral into his Graveyard, drawing a card as Gragonith shone (ATK: 4500), and a Shine Counter appeared on Realm of Light (RoL: 2SHC), prompting more radiance from Garoth (ATK: 2750) and Gragonith (ATK: 4600).
April 3600LP/Hyperion 8000LP
"His Gragonith's almost as powerful as the F.G.D…" April thought as she drew. "I've got no way to beat it… I'm going to lose, no matter what I do…"
Her fellow officers must have sensed her worrying.
"C'mon April!"
"You can do it!"
"Fight back and win, kid!"
"I will…" she whispered. "I will!" They erupted into cheers as she stared Hyperion in the face. "My turn!" She gazed over her two card hand. "I activate Card of Demise!" She drew four more cards, and smirked. "Your dragon is done."
"How so, child?" Hyperion sneered.
"Like this!" she roared. "I Special Summon XX-Saber Gardestrike from my hand since you have monsters, I don't and there are two or more X-Sabers in my Graveyard!" With a feral snarl, XX-Saber Gardestrike leapt onto her field. "I summon X-Saber Axel!" With a savage snarl, Axel appeared, raising his serrated blade (ATK: 400).
"What purpose does this serve?" Hyperion said.
"I Special Summon XX-Saber Faultroll!" April shouted, Faultroll rising up beside Gardestrike and Axel (ATK: 2400). "Now I activate Saber Slash, destroying face-up cards on your field equal to the number of attack mode X-Sabers on my field!" The three X-Sabers swung their blades as one, unleashing a wave of power that obliterated Gragonith, Garoth and the Lightsworn Barrier.
"Curse you!" Hyperion roared as he was stared down by three extremely pissed off X-Sabers.
"I activate the effect of XX-Saber Faultroll, Special Summoning X-Saber Airbellum from my Graveyard," April snapped as Faultroll raised his claymore and Airbellum formed (ATK: 1600). "I Tune together Airbellum, Axel and Gardestrike to Synchro Summon…!"
Airbellum leapt upwards alongside Axel and Gardestrike, all three X-Sabers coming together as three Synchro Gates and six shining stars that exploded in a blaze of power…
"All the pain locked within me for so long... explode forth as an unstoppable force! Become the aspect of my just vengeance! Synchro Summon! Appear now, XX-Saber Gatmuz!"
With a vicious roar, Gatmuz crashed down beside Faultroll, drawing the Sparkling Sword (ATK: 3100).
"Now, XX-Saber Faultroll, attack him directly!" April shouted. Faultroll charged forwards and cleaved through Hyperion with his claymore.
(Hyperion 5600LP)
"Gatmuz, direct attack!" XX-Saber Gatmuz surged at Hyperion and slashed the Sparkling Sword across the man.
(Hyperion 2500LP)
"You're finished," April said. "With Gatmuz and Faultroll in play, I can't lose to you. I end my turn with a face-down card." The reversed card appeared before her.
"We'll see," Hyperion replied darkly.
April 3600LP/Hyperion 2500LP
"I draw," Hyperion said. "I activate Monster Reincarnation, discarding a card from my hand," he placed Celestia, Lightsworn Angel into his Graveyard, "to add any monster from my Graveyard to my hand." A card shot from his Graveyard into his hand. "Now, April Mikuro, steel yourself against the true terror and power of the Lightsworns. Tremble as I call forth the final power and light they wield…" He played the card…
"I call forth Judgment Dragon!"
The sky exploded with searing, fiery light that blinded April with its radiance. She felt something descend from the light and crash down upon the earth, but she couldn't see it until the golden light faded. Her eyes opened and she beheld the holy being that was Judgment Dragon.
The dragon was immense; its body covered in feathery scales colored royal blue, angelic wings rising above its form. It gazed down at her with blazing crimson eyes, that fiery gaze entering her very soul… (ATK: 3000)
"I activate the effect of Judgment Dragon," Hyperion said. "I can pay 1000 Life Points to destroy all other cards on the field. Terminal Judgment!" A crimson aura surrounded him…
(Hyperion 1500LP)
Then the world was consumed by a storm of burning light. April screamed as the light seared into her, burning through her very soul…
Then it was gone, leaving only Judgment Dragon to preside over the wasteland of fused, broken ground that was left.
"Judgment Dragon, attack her directly," Hyperion commanded. "Final Radiance!" Judgment Dragon roared, blasting a focused jet of blazing light from its maw into April. She screamed in agony as the light blasted her back into the Security van, smashing a dent in the vehicle.
(April 600LP)
"And with that, my turn ends," Hyperion finished. "Meaning that Judgment Dragon forces me to send four cards from my Deck to the Graveyard." He placed Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter, Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner, Pot of Avarice and Realm of Light into his Graveyard.
April 600LP/Hyperion 1500LP
"I… draw…" April groaned. "I… play a… face-down and… end my turn…" The reversed card appeared.
April 600LP/Hyperion 1500LP
"How pitiful," Hyperion said as he drew. "I activate the effect of Judgment Dragon – Terminal Judgment!" The storm of light exploded into being once more.
"I chain Threatening Roar, preventing you from attacking this turn!" April cried. Hyperion snarled as a loud roar sounded across the field.
(Hyperion 500LP)
"I end my turn," he snapped, throwing four more cards into his Graveyard.
April 600LP/Hyperion 500LP
"I draw!" April cried. Her eyes widened as she saw the card. "Julian… your present…" The card she held was a card Julian had given her on her last birthday before her father had died… since then, she had never used it in her hatred for her cousin.
"Now I'll use your gift to help protect our home, Julian…"
"I activate Miracle Synchro Fusion!" she cried. "I remove X-Saber Urbellum, X-Saber Galahad and X-Saber Axel in my Graveyard from play to Fusion Summon…!" Urbellum, Galahad and Axel appeared, rising as one into Miracle Synchro Fusion…
"No matter what beast you summon, it cannot defeat my Judgment Dragon," Hyperion mocked.
"You're wrong," April said. "Let me tell you the history of my X-Sabers. Originally they were a feral tribe out in the wilderness, living their lives far from others. Then, one day, they were met by a brave wanderer named Freed, who taught them the arts of war. They learned quickly and well, and when the time came for Freed to leave, he chose a promising young warrior as their leader. Taking the names of his two most fearsome allies, this leader named himself Urbellum, and called his warriors the X-Sabers. The X-Sabers journeyed together, seeking to bring justice for those unable to rise up and create it themselves. As they fought on, they became more skilled, to the point that a group of specialists became known as the XX-Sabers, the elite of the group. Eventually, Urbellum chose his successor as leader, a skilled apprentice of his named Gatmuz. Gatmuz at the time was known as the Allsword Commander, but was soon given the title of XX-Saber by the elites."
"But Urbellum never left the X-Sabers. He remained among their ranks unto death, and some say, even now his spirit walks with them into battle, and that when the time comes, he will return to fight beside his comrades once more. And the monster I'm summoning now…" she fixed Hyperion with a fiery gaze not unlike her cousin's. "That is Urbellum."
"No savage shall best the Judgment Dragon!"
"Wrong!"April roared. "The X-Sabers are not savages – they are warriors! Now, let your dragon behold its slayer, as I call forth the true spirit and power of the X-Sabers… I summon XX-Saber Urbellum Aegis!"
Light exploded forth before her, forming into a warrior clad in flawless silver armor that molded perfectly to his form. He resembled Urbellum, true, but more perfect, more powerful. He drew two swords that shone with a divine radiance, his baleful gaze stabbing into Hyperion like a lance as the spirit of Urbellum stepped forth, his armor casting a warm, comforting light of comradeship across the field (ATK: 3400).
"Close, but not powerful enough to end this," Hyperion said.
"Again, you're wrong," April retorted. "I activate the effect of XX-Saber Urbellum Aegis. Once per turn, I can remove from play an X-Saber monster from my Graveyard to have Urbellum Aegis gain attack points equal to that monster's original attack points until the End Phase!" She pocketed XX-Saber Gatmuz and the monster appeared beside Urbellum Aegis, Gatmuz nodding to his mentor as he became golden motes and merged with the true spirit of X-Saber (ATK: 6500).
"This cannot be!" Hyperion shouted.
"But it is," April replied in a voice of fire and thunder. "XX-Saber Urbellum Aegis, end this Duel now! Soul of Saber!" Urbellum Aegis roared a battle cry that shook the earth as he charged, striking through the blast of light Judgment Dragon hurled at him to cleave through the beast in a slash of both blades, before charging through its exploding form to impale Hyperion with both of his blazing swords…
April 600LP/Hyperion 0LP
XX-Saber Urbellum Aegis turned to face April, sheathing his swords as he nodded at her approvingly. Her breath caught as she understood – the powerful Duel Spirit saw her as a worthy ally against the foes of X-Saber. Then he faded into light that returned to his card in her hand.
Then Hyperion stood up, shaking with rage.
"This is not the end, Mikuro," he spat. "You have your peace… for now…" With that, he vanished into the crowd, which began to disperse…
38
Card Stats:
55555
Monsters:
55555
Meteor Black Dragon
FIRE/ Dragon/Fusion /Level 8/ATK: 3500/DEF: 2000
'Red-Eyes Black Dragon' + 'Meteor Dragon'
(Meteor Black Dragon is a Japanese card unreleased in the TCG as of yet.)
55555
Fiend Roar Deity Raven
LIGHT/ Fiend/Tuner /Level 2/ATK: 1300/DEF: 1000
Once per turn, you can discard any number of cards in your hand and have this card gain ATK equal to the number of cards you discarded x 400 until the End Phase. For each card discarded by this effect, increase this card's Level by 1 until the End Phase.
55555
Fiend Roar Deity Solcius
LIGHT/ Fiend/Effect /Level 6/ATK: 2200/DEF: 2100
You can send 2 cards other than "Fiend Roar Deity Solcius" from your hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon this card from your Graveyard.
55555
Fiend Roar Deity Cruz
LIGHT/ Fiend/Effect /Level 2/ATK: 1000/DEF: 800
When this card is discarded from the hand to the Graveyard, Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower "Fiend Roar Deity" monster other than this card from your Graveyard.
55555
Fiend Roar Deity Galbas
LIGHT/ Fiend/Effect /Level 4/ATK: 1500/DEF: 800
You can discard 1 card to the Graveyard to destroy 1 face-up monster your opponent controls with DEF lower than this card's ATK.
55555
Fiend Roar Deity Valkiris
LIGHT/ Fiend/Synchro/Effect /Level 8/ATK: 2900/DEF: 1700
1 'Fiend Roar Deity' Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
Once per turn, you can discard 1 Fiend-Type monster to draw 1 card.
55555
Fiend Roar Deity Mihztorji
LIGHT/ Fiend/Tuner /Level 2/ATK: 400/DEF: 200
You can send this card from your hand to the Graveyard and select 1 face-up "Fiend Roar Deity" monster you control. While the selected monster is face-up on the field, it is treated as a Tuner monster.
55555
Fiend Roar Deity Levuathan
LIGHT/ Fiend/Synchro/Effect /Level 10/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2000
1 'Fiend Roar Deity' Tuner + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
When this card on the field is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, you can select up to 3 "Fiend Roar Deity" monsters in your Graveyard. Add the selected monsters to your hand.
(The Fiend Roar Deity monsters were released in the Duel Terminal sets Demon Roar God Revival, Champion of Chaos and Pulse of the Trishula in the OCG, as well as Limited Edition Packs 13 and 16. A TCG release for them is currently unknown.)
55555
Valkyrie Erste
LIGHT/ Fairy/Effect /Level 6/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1800
Once per turn, you can remove from play 1 monster in your opponent's Graveyard. The original ATK of this card becomes equal to the original ATK of the removed monster until the end of the turn.
55555
Valkyrie Zwei
LIGHT/ Fairy/Effect /Level 5/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1600
When this card is Summoned, destroy 1 monster your opponent controls.
(The above two monsters were first used by Zigfried/Siegfried in Episode 189 of the second series anime. Creative credit for them goes to the writers of the second series anime.)
55555
XX-Saber Urbellum Aegis
EARTH/ Warrior/Fusion/Effect /Level 10/ATK: 3400/DEF: 2600
'X-Saber Urbellum' + 2 'X-Saber' monsters
This card cannot be Special Summoned except by Fusion Summon. Once per turn, you can remove from play 1 'X-Saber' monster from your Graveyard to have this card gain ATK equal to that card's ATK until the End Phase. If you activate this effect, other monsters you control cannot declare an attack this turn.
(XX-Saber Urbellum Aegis is my own invention and creative credit for it goes to me.)
55555
Spells:
55555
Ride of the Valkyries
Normal Spell Card
Image: Several Grecian temples built atop the clouds, with angels flying between them.
Special Summon as many "Valkyrie" monsters (other than "Element Valkyrie" or "Cyber Valkyrie") from your hand as possible. Return all monsters Summoned by this effect to your Deck at the end of the turn.
(Ride of the Valkyries was first used by Zigfried/Siegfried in Episode 189 of the second series anime. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of the second series anime.)
38
Next time on Spirit Legends, more of our heroes must take a stand against the rioters. Can they prevail and help Sector Security hold out against this storm?
To find out, read Chapter 39 – Backs to the Wall!