Chapter 54: Synchro Halo

Crow strode briskly through the tunnels of the Enerdy Reactor Complex, glancing around as he did so. He entered an old office room, and immediately noticed the photograph on a desk, which he walked over to and picked up, brushing off seventeen years of dust.

"Who are these people?" he murmured, looking down at the photograph…

54

Meanwhile, the Duel between Yusei and Roman continued. Yusei had just Synchro Summoned his Stardust Dragon (ATK: 2500), had four cards in his hand and was on 1450 Life Points.

Roman on the other hand controlled Earthbound Immortal Uru (ATK: 3000), as well as the Continuous Trap Cards Pole Position and Roar of the Earthbound, and the Field Spell Spider Web. He had no cards in his hand and 2900 Life Points.

"I summon Zero Gardna!" the Signer called, playing the card. A strange blue drone with wings and a propeller appeared, holding up a large concrete block with its spindly arms (ATK: 0). "Now I end my turn!"

"You still have the will to fight?" Roman said, surprised. "Your will is just like your father's… after seventeen years, the Signer to fight against me is Dr. Fudo's son… I feel a strong sense of fate…"

"I don't have any fate with the likes of you," Yusei replied. "Not after everything you've stolen from my friends and I, Roman."

"Your Life Points will shatter under a single blow from my Immortal, and then your soul shall vanish into the light of Enerdy," Roman replied. "Let me tell you a story of seventeen years ago, Yusei. Your father, Dr. Fudo, was the leading man in quantum physics, and he discovered the Planetary Particle in what was called the Yusei Project."

"What's a Planetary Particle?" Luna asked.

"The Planetary Particle, much like a planetary gear, binds particles together with other particles," Roman explained. "Dr. Fudo gave his son the name of his project in the hopes that someday, like how the particle binds particles together, that son could connect people with bonds. That Planetary Particle was the stepping-stone that led to the discovery of Enerdy itself. Dr. Fudo created a theory, and launched development on a method of non-polluting, limitless energy development – the Enerdy Reactor."

"My brother and I, as well as Aaron and Catherine Mikuro, were researchers at the time, but we were all impressed by Dr. Fudo's research, and eventually we managed to become his assistants. The doctor would talk about the possibilities of his research like a bright-eyed little boy… he believed in the future the reactor could create. The research was still going well at that time."

"At that time?" Yusei repeated. "What went wrong?"

"It started with abnormal energy readings on the sensors, unexplainable readings," Roman replied. "Seismic activity began to increase in regularity, and then abnormal weather began to affect the city. It soon became clear that these phenomenon were tied directly to the Enerdy Reactor itself."

Then he took his mind back, remembering those days…

"The experiments must be stopped?" he exclaimed in shock, staring in Dr. Fudo in horror.

"It's out of hand," the man replied. "I don't know what it's due to, but I'm positive the abnormalities in the city are connected to the Enerdy Reactor."

"Dr' Fudo's right," someone added from behind Roman. He glanced back to see a petite, fairly pretty woman wearing a spotless white lab-coat over a knee-length, crimson dress, her black waist-length hair tied back into pigtails, her eyes a deep chocolate brown, the former shade of Julian's eyes. This was Julian's mother, Catherine Mikuro.

"Catherine… you can't let all our good work go to waste…" Roman said, his world ripped apart by the revelation that all their work was to be undone. She shook her head.

"I don't want to let go either, Roman, but we have no choice."

"I know that all our research will be lost, but as long as the city's safety is in question, I cannot in good conscience continue to endanger the citizens," Dr. Fudo said firmly. "I'm sorry, Roman, but it cannot be allowed."

After that, Roman had investigated every piece of data available to him feverishly, trying desperately to find something, anything to salvage the project. He had come across reports of strange abnormalities happening in another region of the world – the Nazca Lines in Peru. And so he had journeyed to the Nazca Lines in search of answers…

He had soon discovered the legend of a battle of the Gods 5000 years before, and learned of the sealing of evil deities sealed within the Lines themselves battling a great Crimson Dragon for supremacy of the world.

One day, he had travelled to the Nazca Lines. Walking from his jeep, he was met by a white-suited man, whose face was concealed by shadows.

"I am from Yliaster," the man said. "It's a shame that the research on the Enerdy Reactor is to be halted."

"How do you know about that?" Roman gasped.

"Do you wish to continue the research?" the man asked. "The research must continue, even if you must get rid of Dr. Fudo."

"What are you talking about?"

"In the light of Enerdy, there are possibilities even you can't imagine, and we of Yliaster believe that you, Roman Goodwin, are a true genius that should be in the front page of the history books."

"What do you mean by that?" The man answered by pointing to the crimson mark on Roman's left arm, a mark in the shape of a dragon's head! "It's a mark I've had ever since I was born."

"Fate has already chosen you, and you can't run away from it."

"You're the Fifth Signer!" Yusei cried out in shock.

"Did the 5000 year battle between the Gods really happen, and is it going to happen again?" Roman asked the mysterious man.

"That's something you should see with your own eyes, through the will of the light of Enerdy," the man replied with a laugh as a sandstorm whipped up and he disappeared into it.

Roman returned to New Domino City with more questions than answers, but nonetheless he looked into the reactor's light, and when he did, dark purple light struck him, showing him visions of the great battle 5000 years before. The Enerdy Reactor was the key to unleashing the battle of the Gods once more…

54

Crow still wandered the corridors of the facility, before entering a research room, where he found Rex.

"Director Goodwin!" he exclaimed. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came here to say goodbye to my big brother," Rex murmured, staring down at the photograph of himself, Roman, Dr. Fudo, Catherine Mikuro and a fairly average, slender man who greatly resembled Julian, with one critical difference, his sea-green eyes. "My brother was considered a genius at a young age, and I was very proud of him… but he took an unbelievable fate upon his shoulders…"

54

"I'm going to stop the Enerdy research, no matter what!" Dr. Fudo insisted.

"You no longer have the authority to do that, Dr. Fudo," one of the black-suited agents replied. "You were relieved of your duties as a member of R.R.D. a short while ago."

"What?"

"We invested a great deal of money in the development of Enerdy, and your successor has already been decided," another agent explained.

"Who is it?" Dr. Fudo asked. "Please… let it be Aaron, or Catherine… someone with sense…" But his hopes were dashed when Roman stepped forwards with a sinister smirk. "Roman, what is the meaning of this?"

"You don't have the courage to see the truth, and neither do your protégé Mikuro couple," Roman said darkly. "I shall fill that role myself."

"I've already built control units for the reactor!" Dr. Fudo protested. "As long as you can't release the seals…!" His voice trailed off as Roman produced a fan of four Duel Monsters cards with a flourish, Stardust Dragon, Red Dragon Archfiend, Black Rose Dragon and Ancient Fairy Dragon.

"These seals?" he replied, to which Dr. Fudo snatched the four cards out of his hand and sprinted for the exit. The agent s drew guns and opened fire, several bullets slamming into the scientist and making a single card fall from his grip – Ancient Fairy Dragon…

A short whole later, Dr. Fudo collapsed before Rex, Aaron and Catherine.

"Dr. Fudo!" Aaron cried in shock, falling to a knee beside his former superior. "Who did this to you?"

"Rex… take these cards… stop the reactor…" Dr. Fudo gasped, passing the cards to Rex. "Roman won't… suspect you…" The younger Goodwin brother sprinted away, clutching the three cards like life itself.

"Let us help!" Catherine said.

"No… he'd expect you to try and… stop him… where's Julian…?"

"He's out of town with his uncle… on a holiday in Okinawa… he's due back in a week," Aaron told him.

"Then he's safe… a mercy at least," the scientist gasped. "Help me… I have to save… Yusei…"

Meanwhile, Rex ran into the reactor control room to find Roman, who was placing his severed left arm into a container.

"Take this," he said, clearly in pain as he passed the container to Rex. "Someday the Signers will appear, and no matter how many years it takes, you must gather them together and defeat me…"

"What are you talking about?" Rex said desperately.

"Do as I say…" Roman said. "There are two Gods within my body… but I choose the path of darkness… take that arm and get out of here as fast as you can, while a part of me stays in control…" He produced a gun and pointed it at his brother. "Go, Rex, run!" Reluctantly, the younger Goodwin brother obeyed, sprinting away with tears in his eyes, understanding what his older brother was about to do…

Dr. Fudo weakly, with Catherine and Aaron's help, lifted the infant, year-old Yusei into an escape pod, before activating the seals that would protect the baby boy from the power of what Roman was about to unleash.

"I've enjoyed… working with you, Dr. Fudo," Aaron said, pulling his wife close as the two looked at their former superior. "No matter what happens, I'll always have the utmost respect for you."

"Thank you… for your kind words," Dr. Fudo gasped weakly. "You've been the best… assistants any scientist… could want…"

Roman weakly staggered to the console of the reactor controls, pressing the button which would intensify the negative rotation to the reactor's breaking point.

"This way… I'll be reborn… as a Dark Signer…" he whispered, watching the energy gauges enter critical… and then the world ended…

"Back then, the Doors of the Underworld began to open due to the events of 5000 years ago," the Dark Signer told Yusei…

54

"So because of the Zero Reverse, my parent's, Yusei's parents, Jack's parents and Julian's parents all died and the city was divided," Crow summed up from what Rex had just told him. "Even the legendary man couldn't stop the city from dividing in two." Something flickered across Rex's eyes at that.

"Do you know the identity of the man who flew from Daedalus Bridge?" he asked.

"No, but I can't forget his wish to make Satellite and New Domino into one someday," Crow replied. Rex gave a soft sigh.

"You have the same aspirations as Yusei," the director commented. "I have a message for him, and one for Julian. For Yusei, if he defeats my brother, I shall be waiting for him. And for Julian… tell him that I'm sorry for lying to him."

"Julian's dead," Crow said.

"Death, life… both are fleeting in these times," Rex replied. "Just give them my messages, please." He pressed a panel on the wall and a door opened, the director slipping into the elevator, which closed shut.

"What was he talking about…?" Crow wondered.

54

"You're trying to act like a God!" Yusei accused. "How many lives do you have to take until you're satisfied?"

"My fate was already in the hands of the Gods when I realized it, and I chose the darkness within my heart myself!" Roman replied. "The world will be reborn soon."

"I end my turn!" Yusei shouted.

Yusei 1450LP/Roman 2900LP

"I draw!" Roman declared, pulling the card from his Deck.

"Earthbound Immortal Uru, attack him directly!" The Immortal blasted its Hell Thread…

"I activate Zero Gardna's effect – by Releasing it, monsters I control cannot be destroyed in battle and I take no Battle Damage this turn!" Yusei retorted. Zero Gardna slung the concrete slab up, right into the path of the Hell Thread, which was blocked by the slab as the Gardna vanished.

"I end my turn with a reversed card!" Roman finished, placing the face-down card.

Yusei 1450LP/Roman 2900LP

"If Yusei takes another attack, he'll lose!" Leo cried out.

"Believe in Yusei," Trudge murmured, gazing with Luna at Julia, who was sleeping, motionless behind Roman.

"I draw!" Yusei declared. "I place two cards face-down and end my turn!" The reversed cards appeared before him.

"He's waiting for something…" Luna murmured.

Yusei 1450LP/Roman 2900LP

"I draw!" Roman declared.

"I activate the Trap Card, Shooting Star!" Yusei called as the Trap lifted up. "With this, while I control Stardust Dragon, I can destroy one of your cards, like your Spider Web Field Spell!" A blast of radiant power ripped from Stardust Dragon, shooting to the heart of the Field Spell…

"If this works, Uru will be destroyed!" Trudge realized. Unfortunately, it was not to be.

"It's too late!" Roman snarled. "I activate the Trap Card, Anti-Emptiness! By reducing one of my monsters' attack points to zero, I can stop a card effect that would destroy one of my Spells or Traps!" Uru glowed with crimson energy (ATK: 0) and Shooting Star shattered.

"It's never too late," Yusei replied.

"I end my turn with a face-down!" Roman finished. The crimson glow faded from Uru (ATK: 3000) as the card appeared.

Yusei 1450LP/Roman 2900LP

"My turn!" Yusei declared. He smiled as he saw the card.

"Here's what I've been waiting for! I activate Harmony's Treasure, discarding Debris Dragon to draw twice!" The Debris Dragon that had been in his hand since the beginning was placed into the Graveyard as he drew twice.

"Now I place three cards face-down and end my turn!" The reversed cards appeared.

Yusei 1450LP/Roman 2900LP

"My turn!" Roman shouted.

"I activate Earthbound Whirlwind, destroying all of your Spell and Trap Cards since I have an Earthbound Immortal in play!" A howling tempest erupted…

"I activate the effect of Stardust Dragon, Releasing it to negate your effect and destroy Earthbound Whirlwind!" Yusei cried. "Victim Sanctuary!" Stardust soared into the storm and energy ripped from it, shattering the mighty whirlwind.

"Earthbound Immortal Uru, end this!"

"I counter with the Trap Card – Stardust Flash!" Yusei shouted. "Because Stardust Dragon was Released this turn by its own effect, Stardust Flash brings it back to the field!" Stardust Dragon reappeared with a mighty roar (ATK: 2500).

"You've still lost!" Roman retorted as Uru prepared to blast its Hell Thread…

"I activate the Trap Card, Isolated Protector, and equip it to Stardust Dragon, negating all Battle Damage from anything other than a battle involving Stardust Dragon!" Yusei cried as another Trap lifted up, coating Stardust with white aura.

"Earthbound Immortal Uru, attack Stardust Dragon with Hell Thread!" Roman ordered. "And I activate Demonic Devastation, doubling all Battle Damage to you other than from direct attacks!" Yusei cried out in pain as the Hell Thread slammed down on Stardust, sending a mighty shockwave into him…

(Yusei 450LP)

"I destroy Isolated Protector to save Stardust!" Isolated Protector shattered and Stardust lost the white aura.

"I end my turn!" the disgusted Roman snapped.

Yusei 450LP/Roman 2900LP

"I… draw…!" Yusei called, his voice wracked with pain, but still he managed a smile. "This turn, your Immortal topples."

"An Earthbound Immortal cannot be chosen as an attack target, and Pole Position still renders Uru immune to Spells," Roman reminded him.

"None of those things matter!" Yusei replied. "I activate the Trap Card, Synchro Prominence, dealing you 1000 points of damage for every Synchro Monster in play, and then I chain Panic Wave, destroying another card I control to negate the effects of all Effect Monsters, Continuous Spells and Continuous Traps in play this turn!" Roman's eyes widened as the two cards lifted up, Panic Wave's effect shattering Synchro Prominence before coating all cards affected by it in red aura, then he cried out as Synchro Prominence erupted in white fire beneath him.

(Roman 1900LP)

"I activate the Spell Card, Battle Waltz!" Yusei continued. "This summons a Waltz Token copy of a Synchro Monster I control!" A pale blue version of Stardust Dragon formed from white light beside the original (ATK: 2500). "Now, Waltz Token, attack Earthbound Immortal Uru!"

"What?" Leo exclaimed in horror.

The Waltz Token blasted a Cosmic Flare at Uru, but the Immortal responded with a dozen spears of Hell Thread that impaled and shattered the clone of Stardust Dragon.

"This is the end, but don't feel bad, for we have inscribed a glorious page in this world's history," Roman told Yusei. Then he realized Yusei had taken no damage.

"When a Waltz Token is destroyed, neither of us takes Battle Damage," the Signer explained. "But the monster that destroyed it loses attack points equal to the destroyed token's points!" Roman cried out in shock as he beheld Uru coated in white fire (ATK: 500).

"I don't care about my fate," Yusei continued. "And because of your fate, there have been many victims. You've forgotten what the survivors are going through, and if my father hadn't had his experiments, the incident seventeen years ago would never have happened. That experiment took the lives of Jack, Crow and Julian's parents as well. If it never happened, everyone would have had loving parents and a happy life. Why do they look at me as a friend, why don't they bare any bad feelings and support me – what am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to tell them I'm sorry? Give me an answer, Roman."

"Is that the darkness within your heart?" Roman wondered.

"I'll give you your answer!" Crow called up to Yusei from a tunnel entrance below, just above the pool of Enerdy. "I didn't know you were shouldering those feelings, and I'm sorry. Even though I'm your friend, I never noticed, but I never thought my life was ruined because of you or your father. That's why you don't have to feel responsible, and if there was any fate for me, it was only having met you, Jack, Julian and so many others. Win this Duel for all our sakes, the living and the dead."

"The one illuminating my heart isn't the Enerdy's light," Yusei said to Roman. "It's my irreplaceable friends, and this Duel is my final hope! For everyone your 'fate' tore apart, I'll end this here and now! Stardust Dragon, attack Earthbound Immortal Uru with Cosmic Flare!"

Stardust Dragon gave an almighty roar and unleashed the vibrant flare of silver-white flame from its maw, consuming Uru, which gave an earth-shaking shriek of outrage and agony before shattering into burning shadows. Roman gave a cry of despair as the flames slammed into him, sending him crashing back along the bridge…

Yusei 450LP/Roman 0LP

Yusei walked steadily forwards, stopping beside Julia and kneeling down beside her.

"I'm going to get you out of here," he murmured to the sleeping baby softly, taking her into his arms as he stood and turned to walk back, only to stop as he heard Roman's dark laughter.

"This isn't the end," the Dark Signer laughed as he stood. "An ultimate God has already been unleashed." He began to crumble to dust as he spoke. "If all four units are not controlled by sunset today, the King of the Underworld shall rise!" He took the Duel Disk from his arm and ripped it off, hurling it away. "I won't allow you and that child to leave this place!"

He pulled a switch on his mechanical arm and ripped it off. An explosion ripped across the bridge, shattering it and sending Yusei and Julia tumbling together down into the light of the Enerdy.

"YUSEI!" Trudge, Leo, Luna and Crow screamed as one…

As he fell, everything seemed to slow down for the Signer. He quickly realized there was no way to escape his plummet into the Reactor, and he couldn't even save Julia from it either. All he could do was hold her close to his chest as they fell through the howling air down into the pool of Enerdy…

As he hit, the force smashed the air from Yusei's lungs and his arms were snapped outwards, hurling Julia from him into the unknown. He glimpsed her shooting away into the light, and then his world went black…

54

Outside the crater, the Spider geoglyph faded away as purple light flared in the streets forming into the people once sacrificed to Earthbound Immortal Uru.

Martha stood with Tank, Nervin, Blitz and Rally, staring up at the black sky.

"I was… saved…?" she murmured. "Yusei…"

54

Leo and Luna backed away in shock as more purple light erupted beside them, forming into Julian, who toppled forwards to be caught by Trudge.

"Where… am I…?" the Chosen of Flame groaned weakly.

"The Old Enerdy Reactor," the Security officer explained. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah… where's Julia?" Trudge's eyes darkened.

"Julian!" Crow exclaimed as he ran from a tunnel beside them, having made his way back to the surface.

"Crow…" Julian replied. "Trudge… where's Julia…?" Crow stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes darkening.

"I'm sorry, Julian…" the redhead finally murmured. "Julia's gone… Yusei beat Roman, but they were dueling on that bridge, and Roman had some explosives, or something… he blew it up… Yusei was rescuing Julia, he couldn't get back in time, and they fell… into the Enerdy…" He gestured weakly to the rainbow energy below.

Julian stared down at the pool numbly, his eyes widening in shock.

"She's… gone…?" he whispered, and the heartbreak in his voice was all too evident.

"I'm sorry… there was nothing we could do," Trudge murmured softly.

"She… can't be gone…" the Chosen of Flame whispered, his voice filled with tones of agony. He pulled himself from Trudge's grip and staggered to the edge of the pit, staring down into the depths of the light. Within it he beheld the visions that had driven Roman to unleashing the Zero Reverse, the 5000-years past battle of the Signer Dragons and Earthbound Immortals.

"I have to save her," he whispered.

"You can't go after them! Who knows what might happen?" Trudge shouted.

"Julia's my daughter, and Yusei's a Signer… they both matter," Julian replied. "They matter more than I do…" He stood upon the edge for a moment more, before letting himself fall forwards…

Then something grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back, sending him crashing down onto the concrete.

Crow stood over him, a fiery look in his eyes.

"Yusei will be fine, Julian," he said firmly. "He'll get himself out, and Julia too. Trust him to save her."

"You don't understand!" Julian snarled, hurling himself to his feet and stalking forwards, the air around him shimmering with heat haze. "You can't understand! It's not your daughter down there in that Enerdy; you don't share how I feel about her! Julia is the closest family I have left… I can't just stand back while she's in danger, Crow… I just can't…"

"I don't know how you feel, but you can't just throw yourself into danger after her, Julian," Trudge said. "Trust Yusei to bring her back… he's her best hope now…" Julian sighed, accepting the truth in the words.

"I died for her," he whispered softly. "But now I just have to stand back and leave her in danger…"

"Yusei will save her," Luna said, and there was a strong belief in her voice. "Trust me… he'll bring her back to you, Julian…"

54

Card Stats:

55555

Spells:

55555

Battle Waltz

Normal Spell Card

Image: A blue-skinned deity with four legs, six arms and three masked faces, wielding twin scimitars, a spear, sickle, staff and shield, standing before a crimson seal.

Activate by selecting 1 Synchro Monster you control. Special Summon 1 "Waltz Token" (its Attribute, Type, Level, ATK, and DEF are the same as the selected monster's). Any Battle Damage either player takes as a result of this token battling becomes 0. Until the End Phase of this turn, an opponent's monster that destroys this token by battle loses ATK equal to this token's ATK.

(Battle Waltz was first used by Yusei in the 5D's episode 'Destiny's Will Part 2'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)

55555

Traps:

55555

Anti-Emptiness

Normal Trap Card

Image: A flash of lightning striking the ground in the centre of a ring of statues.

Reduce the ATK of 1 face-up Attack Position monster you control to 0 until the End Phase. Negate the activation and effect of a card controlled by your opponent that has the effect of destroying a Spell or Trap card on the field, and destroy it.

(Anti-Emptiness was first used by Roman in the 5D's episode 'Destiny's Will Part 2'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)

55555

Stardust Flash

Normal Trap Card

Image: Stardust Dragon shooting downwards to the foreground, with afterimages of blue and purple aura behind it.

Activate only during a turn when a "Stardust Dragon" you control is Tributed by its own effect. Special Summon 1 "Stardust Dragon" from your Graveyard.

(Stardust Flash was first used by Yusei in the 5D's episode 'Destiny's Will Part 2'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)

55555

Synchro Prominence

Normal Trap Card

Image: Three fireballs shooting from a Level Star contained within a Synchro Gate.

Inflict 1000 damage to your opponent for each face-up Synchro Monster on the field.

(Synchro Prominence was first used by Yusei in the 5D's episode 'Ghost Flood! The Terrifying Battle Royal Mode'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)

55555

Panic Wave

Normal Trap Card

Image: A shockwave of energy blasting from a barbed tower, as three crosses of energy, one yellow, one purple and one green, shine in the black sky.

Activate by destroying 1 card you control. The effects of all Continuous Spell Cards, Continuous Trap Cards, and Effect Monsters that are face-up on the field are negated during this turn.

(Panic Wave was first used by Yusei in the 5D's episode 'Yusei Fudo: 100% Chance of Defeat!'. Creative credit for it goes to the writers of 5D's.)

54

Next time on Spirit Legends, Carly and Jack square off against one another! With the Wings Signer unsure about how to save her, can Carly triumph over her Signer opponent? When she unleashes a vision of the future to be brought forth by the Dark Signers, just what will happen?

And meanwhile, trapped in a strange otherworld, can Yusei save Julia and bring both himself and Julian's daughter back into the world of the living?

To find out, read Chapter 55 – Prophecy of a Future King!