Koros45 doesn't own Yu-Gi-Oh!, or Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's (Or Yu-Gi-Oh! ARC – V)
Chapter 53: Limit Overdrive – The Two Opposing Stars
Two crimson D-Wheels sped down the Duel Lane of the unfamiliar city, each flanked by five monsters each.
The markerless man had his field of Synchro monsters. They consisted of Unknown Warrior (5/2100/1600), Bri Warrior (7/2600/2500), Changer Warrior (6/2200/2200), Hyper Warrior (9/3000/2800) and Steam Warrior (6/2400/2000).
Other than the monsters, he had a face-up trap card – Warrior's Stronghold.
For the man with the marker, it was Junk Warrior (5/2300/1300), Nitro Warrior (7/2800/1800), Turbo Warrior (6/2500/1500), Road Warrior (8/3000/1500), and Drill Warrior (6/2400/2000). He also had four set cards on his field.
Yusei (TOPS): LP 3600/ SPC: 4
Yusei (SATELLITE): LP 2600, SPC: 5
"You'd best prepare for me to draw down the curtain on this Synchro War of ours!" The markerless Yusei said as he began his turn.
Turn 13 3600/2600, SPC: 4/5
(Insert 5D's OST: Sound Duel 2: Looming Threat)
"Draw! Now recall that Changer Warrior has targeted and switched all your monster's attack and defense points." He stated.
Four of the five monsters grunted as their stats changed. Junk Warrior struggled briefly as it lost one-thousand attack points (5/2300/1300 → 5/1300/2300).
Nitro Warrior was next, roaring in anger (7/2800/1800 → 7/1800/2800).
Drill Warrior (6/2400/2000 → 6/2000/2400) and Road Warrior (8/3000/1500 → 8/1500/3000) were next, groaning with frustration.
Despite these changes, the markered Yusei remained calm.
"Turbo Warrior is still unaffected by your level six or lower monster effects that would target. And since Changer Warrior is level six, it won't touch Turbo Warrior." Yusei clarified, his voice calm despite the approaching threat.
"That won't matter!" The other Yusei said. "Steam Warrior's effect - I'll banish your Road Warrior since it now has less attack points than Steam Warrior, and then all of your monsters other than Turbo Warrior will be destroyed, since they all have less than three-thousand attack points! When this effect resolves, one lone Synchro Warrior won't stand a chance against five!"
"Steam Shooting!"
Steam Warrior fired a rifle shot at Road Warrior, and miraculously missed its target.
"What?" The other Yusei asked, looking over to his Steam Warrior.
A blue-haired angel had appeared behind Steam Warrior, wrapping her arms around it's neck and shaking her head as she had changed the angle of it's rifle. Then she faded away.
"I used Effect Veiler's effect from my hand." Yusei said. "I can discard this monster to negate a monster effect of yours' during your Main Phase! Yusei explained.
Eyes still on the field behind him, the other Yusei remained unfazed despite his set-back..
"Even so, I still have the advantage in attack power! Battle Phase! Unknown Warrior, restore your honor by destroying Junk Warrior! Mystery Strike!"
Unknown Warrior leapt above the other monsters as it's purple arm extended, the claw hand grabbing onto Junk Warrior's waist,yanking Junk Warrior several yards into the air. Then Unknown Warrior slammed the arm down right as it extended to it's limit. Junk Warrior slammed into the road, causing the Synchro monster to shatter on impact.
"Junk Warrior." Yusei muttered in sorrow as he sent the destroyed monster to the Graveyard (Yusei (SATELLITE) 2600 → 1800).
"And now that that eyesore is gone, I'll have Hyper Warrior end this match right now." The other Yusei declared.
"I'll use Lighting Synchron's effect from my Graveyard! Once per turn, I can banish it to double the battle damage one of my monsters deals once per damage step! So when Lighting Warrior strikes down your Road Warrior, you'll take three-thousand points of battle damage!"
Lightning Warrior's form crackled with electricity as his summoner beckoned. "Now go, Hyper Warrior! Attack with Dynamic Blade - Sunrise Slash!"
Hyper Warrior boosted into the sky, emerald sword gleaming in the sun. Then it performed the same horizontal cut that previously bisected Turbo Warrior from shoulder to hip, this time slashing through Road Warrior's slab of road it tried to use to block the swing of the blade and slicing the Synchro in two in the same cut.
As before, it flew away to the other Yusei's side of the field, back turned as Road Warrior exploded with a groan.
From the smoke of the explosion, the Yusei-Go emerged, followed by Nitro Warrior, Turbo Warrior, and Drill Warrior, the three shifting formation to guard against the five attacking Synchro monsters (Yusei (Satellite) 1800 → 1800).
"How did you avoid all that damage?" The other Yusei asked.
Yusei calmly drove on as he glanced to his newly activated trap card, the vertically hovering card revealing itself to the other him.
"Easy. The continuous trap, Superior Protector! I equipped it to Turbo Warrior right before your Hyper Warrior's attack connected. And so, I was able to reduce that damage – and can now reduce all other battle damage that doesn't involve Turbo Warrior – to zero!"
As Yusei spoke, his other could see that Turbo Warrior was glowing with a red outline, the thin barrier created from the trap card's effect.
"So I need to attack your Turbo Warrior in order to damage you . . . In that case, Bri Warrior! Take up the task from Hyper Warrior! Attack Turbo Warrior! Use the J9 Cannon! Galactica Buster!"
The gigantic silver cannon charged up in it's high pitched ring as Bri Warrior held it with both hands, firing the crimson blast even as it pushed Bri Warrior backwards through the air. The beam shot at Turbo Warrior and completely enveloped it in crimson light.
"Superior Protector's second effect! By destroying it, Turbo Warrior won't be destroyed by this battle!" Yusei explained even as his life points took minor damage (1800 → 1700).
The crimson energy subsided, revealing Turbo Warrior's frame completely unharmed as steam from the blast blew harmlessly off of it (6/2500/1500).
". . . and since Bri Warrior failed to destroy Turbo Warrior, it won't gain its six hundred attack point boost." The other Yusei said with a frown.
"I'm not done! Trap card, activate! Cross-Line Counter!" Yusei declared, his next trap revealing itself.
"This trap card adds double the battle damage I took to Turbo Warrior's attack, and then forces another battle between it and Bri Warrior!"
The other Yusei's face looked shocked, but he didn't have time to express it as Yusei revealed his next card.
"Then I'll chain this other trap card, Hope for Escape! I'll pay one thousand life points! Then I'll get to draw an additional card for each increment of one thousand life points between us! And since you currently have more than three-thousand more than me, I'll draw three new cards!" Yusei said.
His life points fell (1700 → 700) and Yusei drew his three cards, giving him a hand of four to work with.
"Then my Cross-Line Counter resolves! Turbo Warrior, let's go!" Yusei stated.
Turbo Warrior's eyes flashed yellow and it brought back a clawed hand, ready to blast off as it's attack power went up marginally (2500 → 2700). Then Bri Warrior charged a second shot with it's cannon, the whir of the charge piercing the air.
The other Yusei sat on his D-Wheel, grimly watching as Bri Warrior fired again. Turbo Warrior charged and shielded the second crimson blast with it's claws, before striking Bri Warrior and causing it to shatter (Yusei (TOPS) 3600 → 3500).
Still, without missing a beat, the other Yusei continued. "Even with Bri Warrior now gone, and some more cards in your hand, you're still at a disadvantage – in both life-points and monsters! Changer Warrior, destroy his Drill Warrior! Knuckle Bomber!"
Changer Warrior's attack slammed into Drill Warrior's spinning drill, the impact of the punches knocking the drill-based Synchro backwards. Then Changer Warrior broke apart into modeler components – it's head, shoulders, forearms, thighs and shins all flying at Drill Warrior in a storm of magnetized parts.
Drill Warrior swung it's best drill at them, but the swarm of pieces flew around him, all magnetizing and re-combining behind Drill Warrior. Changer Warrior re-formed, magnets all reconnecting as it grabbed Drill Warrior in a full nelson, flexing until the opposing Synchro shattered.
(Yusei (Satellite) 700 → 500).
"Well, all said and done, you've only got one set card left, and I'll destroy your Nitro Warrior now with Steam Warrior!" The other Yusei commanded.
"Not quite! I'll use my final trap card – my final hope for this turn! Counterattack Beacon! This card gives Nitro Warrior five-hundred extra attack points, then it battles with a monster you control that just destroyed one of mine!" Yusei countered.
Nitro Warrior gave out a groan as it's attack points increased, the warrior glowing in a white light 7/1800 → 2300/2800).
"Another card allowing you to counterattack on my turn?" His other self asked in surprise as Yusei continued.
"Nitro Warrior, avenge Drill Warrior! Destroy Changer Warrior with Dynamite Knuckle!'
Nitro Warrior's thrusters ignited, slamming into the magnetic Synchro, causing it to shatter (Yusei (TOPS) 3500 → 3400).
"Amazing - You didn't use anything to affect my Synchros other than by battling them." The other remarked.
"That's right, so your Warrior's Stronghold card didn't interfere with my move. And since Changer Warrior's now destroyed, Nitro Warrior's attack points return to normal!" Yusei declared.
Nitro Warrior glowed with green flames for a moment as it's attack power was restored (7/2300/2800 → 7/2800/2300).
"And now its attack power and Turbo Warriors' are both higher than your Steam Warrior's." Yusei pointed out.
"Still, don't think you've won just by destroying two of my Synchro monsters while I'm still holding six cards. I'll set a card face-down and end my turn." The other Yusei said.
Yusei looked to his field which now consisted of Nitro Warrior and Turbo Warrior. Though keeping them in play had been a heavy cost – three of his traps and two other monsters, he was glad for their presence. Nitro Warrior and Turbo Warrior were both extremely strong Synchro monsters – ones that had reliably gotten Yusei out of countless situations in the past.
"Then at the End Phase, Counterattack Beacon will wear off and Nitro Warrior's defense points will return to normal." Yusei said as his two monster' stats readjusted accordingly (7/2800/2300 → 1800).
(Insert 5D's OST: Sound Duel 1: Counterattack)
Turn 15: 3400/500, SPC: 5/6
Yusei drew a fifth card and spared it a glance before he looked ahead of him to the red D-Wheel driving ahead of him.
"You may have a trap card that could end this right now, but we've both come too far in this duel for either one of us to back down! I'll go right to the Battle Phase! First thing's first! Turbo Warrior – clear out his Hyper Warrior!"
High Rate Power kicked in a second time, as Turbo Warrior cut down the level nine Synchro monster's attack power drastically (3000 → 1500).
"Keep going, Turbo Warrior! Pierce! Accel Slash!" Yusei yelled as his red Synchro warrior shattered Hyper Warrior's sword, stabbing it right through the chest with a claw and causing it to explode.
Yusei (TOPS) 3400 → 2400, SPC: 5 → 4.
"And now Nitro Warrior! Attack Steam Warrior with Dynamite Knuckle!"
Nitro Warrior pounced, slamming both fists into Steam Warrior's frame, causing the train themed Synchro's body to cave in before it shattered (Yusei (TOPS) 2400 → 2000).
"After that battle, you've lost another Speed Counter. And now while you do have your Unknown Warrior still in play, you still have to deal with Nitro Warrior and Turbo Warrior!" Yusei said as both of his monsters flew back to flank him on both sides.
"Hmph. Well a second ago I had three Synchros and you had two, but you flipped the odds. Now watch me do the same! Trap card, activate! Synchro Overflow!"
The other Yusei's set trap card flipped up. Its art showed a Synchro Monster, Colossal Fighter roaring, looking upwards and spreading it's arms out as rays of light shot out of it's eyes and mouth.
"This trap card lets me summon two monsters, a tuner and non-tuner from my deck whose' levels are equal or lower to the number of levels a Synchro monster I controlled had before it was removed from the field by battle or your card effect! Hyper Warrior was level nine, so I'll welcome my Quickdraw Synchron! And my Grind Warrior!"
Next to Unknown Warrior, the cowboy tuner appeared on the opposite side of the field, taking Yusei by surprise, though he knew it was definitely a card worth running in a Synchron deck (5/700/1400).
The other monster was unknown, Grind Warrior a helmeted monster whose' knightly helm's crest resembled a gear, covered any sort of facial features, wearing an olive green suit of armor with a black leather suit underneath it (2/500/700).
Yusei glanced to his hand and nodded.
"It's likely he'll perform two Synchro Summons on his next turn – that Quickdraw Synchron could lead to anything. I need to be prepared to face whatever he's going to summon – especially with my life-points as low as they are now." Yusei thought.
"I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn!" Yusei declared.
Turn 16: 2000/500, SPC: 4/6
"Then it's my turn!" The other Yusei said as he drew his next card. He had a total of six cards after he drew for the turn.
"Now I'll show you the unrestrained power of my Synchro deck! I'll match your field of Synchros yet again! And I'll do it all of my own strength – no miraculous trap cards to steal or copy your effects!"
"First, I'll tune my level two Grind Warrior with my level five Quickdraw Synchron!"
"The swift shifting star appears to overwhelm the enemy! Ride on the road of light! Synchro Summon! Ready your aim, Quickdraw Warrior!"
From the summon, a much taller cowboy themed monster appeared, this time covered in more leather padding and some metal spurs on it's boots and a metallic vest. It had the same trademark hat as it's Synchron counterpart, but it's one visible eye was much smaller. It held a pistol in each hand (7/2400/1400).
"Next, I normal summon Mach Synchron!" The other Yusei said, playing the card in question.
A Synchron with decidedly plane-like features appeared, the entire upper body was a cartoon looking jet plane with a gray body and black wings. Two yellow and red eyes poked out beneath the canopy of the plane. And then two large reverse bent legs protruded from the underbelly of the craft while a stubby arm hung under each wing (1/0/0).
"And now - I'm tuning my level one Mach Synchron with my level five Unknown Warrior!" The other Yusei declared.
"From the vast dimensional fortress, the speeding star flies on the Valkyrie's wings! Ride on the road of light! Synchro Summon! Soar! Mach Warrior!"
Ahead of the two of them, a thin fighter jet tore through the skies. It was grey in color and rapidly shifted parts, transforming into a lanky robot with a ruby visor on a small head. It held a blaster rifle in its arms (6/2500/1900).
Mach Warrior and Quickdraw Warrior both fell in formation, Mach Warrior flanking Quickdraw Warrior, the two of them readying for battle with Turbo Warrior and Nitro Warrior.
"And since I used Grind Warrior for a Synchro Summon, I can add a "Warrior" monster to my hand during my next Standby Phase." The other him said.
"In addition, Mach Synchron's effect: I can recover another monster I used as Synchro material this turn at my End Phase. But that hardly matters now!" He gestured to Quickdraw Warrior.
"Quickdraw Warrior has an effect of his own! Once per turn I can send a 'Synchron' monster from my deck to the Graveyard, then he gains attack points equal to it's own attack points! So I'll send Seven Swords Synchron to the graveyard! Synchron Rally!"
He sent the mystery Synchron in question and Quickdraw Warrior's attack power increased marginally (7/2400 → 2700/1400).
"But my Quickdraw Warrior has a second ability! One that lets me treat his effect as the effect of another Synchro monster in my Graveyard for the rest of the turn! So I'll target my Changer Warrior and treat Quickdraw Warrior as such! Quick Gain!" The other Yusei said.
"Just as you had your Turbo Warrior strike down my Lighting Warrior in revenge for Road Warrior, I too desire payback! Changer Warrior was stuck down by your Turbo Warrior and now it will strike back through the effect of Quick-Draw Warrior! This effect will target all of your monsters at once – so both will be easy targets for my Warriors!" The other him stated, continuing to speak.
"Last time, Turbo Warrior was unaffected by Changer Warrior's effect. But since my Quickdraw Warrior is a level seven monster, your Turbo Warrior will now be targeted by this effect this time! Now, Quickdraw Warrior – Magnet Storm!"
Quickdraw Warrior glowed in the same yellow aura that Changer Warrior did earlier, swapping Turbo Warrior and Nitro Warrior's statistics (Turbo Warrior: 2500/1500 → 1500/2500), (Nitro Warrior: 2800/1800 → 1800/2800).
"Now Quickdraw Warrior is far stronger than your Turbo Warrior! And with those low life points of yours', I'm going to end this duel now!" His doppelganger declared.
"Battle phase! Quickdraw Warrior! Attack Turbo Warrior with Quick Shooting!"
Quickdraw Warrior spun its two revolvers at lighting speed, firing two shots through Turbo Warrior's chest. The red Synchro roared and exploded as the shots tore through it's internal circuitry.
Yusei grimaced as his monster's remains vanished from the track, a red bubble of energy surrounding him and the Yusei-Go after his monster's destruction as a trap card sprang up on Yusei's side of the field.
"What's that?" The other Yusei asked.
"The trap card, Iron Resolve!" Yusei said, narrowing his eyes. "By paying half my life points, I take no further damage this turn! And in addition, you can't attack with any more of your monsters!"
(End OST).
"Interesting. You've prolonged this duel by another turn!" The other him said. "But before this turn is over, my cards of victory will alight on the field! I chain Mach Warrior's other effect to your Iron Resolve! Love's Remembrance!"
(Insert 5D's OST: Sound Duel 1: Dragon)
Mach Warrior's body split up into six level stars that began flying around the field.
"Mach Warrior's effect lets me perform a Synchro Summon with it and a Tuner monster in my hand! So I'll tune it with my level two Stardust Synchron!"
At the name and declaration of levels, Yusei tensed. Stardust Synchron? He thought, intrigued but worried.
A squat looking Synchron appeared, projected from the other's hand, with a rounded blue and white body, still containing Stardust Dragon's uniquely shaped head, long harpoon-like structure jutting out between it's cartoonish eyes (2/500/700).
The Synchron broke apart into two white level rings that encircled the six stars, the resulting pillar of light temporarily illuminating the field in green.
The other him began to chant as he held a Synchro card high above his duel disk.
"The vast sea of shining stars parts as the hidden dragon appears from within! Fly high above the road of light! Synchro Summon! Burn brightly, Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force!"
The dragon in question was undoubtedly Stardust, same rumpled membrane on it's long wings, and the same long sinuous body, and muscular arms and legs. The differences were minimal, blue streaks of energy leaked off of the dragon's wings as it soared high in the sky, but then dove and turned to hover next to Quickdraw Warrior and let out a rasping cry (8/2500/2100).
"Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force!?" Yusei exclaimed. Again aware that another Stardust should have been obvious, but still surprised him nonetheless.
"And now that the summon concludes, your Iron Resolve halves your life points!" The other Yusei said, reading the card from his monitor as Yusei's points were cut in half (500 → 250).
"Now that my ace monster is in play, I'll set two cards face down!" The other Yusei said as a pair of set cards appeared on his field.
"That ends my turn, but at my End Phase, I'll add my Grind Warrior back to my hand through Mach Synchron's effect!" Once the chosen card went to his hand, he was holding three cards in his hand.
After that, Nitro Warrior groaned as it's attack power returned to normal (7/1800/2800 → 7/2800/1800).
"Wait, that's right. Your Quickdraw Warrior's effect must only last until the End Phase!'" Yusei noticed, and his other nodded as Quickdraw Warrior's attack points returned to normal as well (7/2700/1400 → 7/2400/1400).
"That means there's still hope! This baton of hope will pass from Turbo Warrior to Nitro Warrior!" Yusei said as the duel progressed another turn.
"'Baton of hope?' Prattle on about your bonds and hopes as much as you like – they'll do little to disrupt my field!" The other him said.
Turn 17: 2000/250 , SPC: 5/7
"It's my turn!"
Yusei drew a card and then looked to both his field and his hand. At the moment, Nitro Warrior had the highest attack points on the field, but Yusei was still very wary considering the other Stardust Dragon his other had summoned.
He had four cards in his hand as well as a set card in addition to his Nitro Warrior. He could see a way to win but once again it largely depended on what his opponent would do.
"If I were him, what would I have face-down?" Yusei thought. At first he thought about defense, as he would ideally fortify his own field with Scrap-Iron Scarecrow. But then he reconsidered.
"In my circumstances I treasure each of my cards- they were all I had growing up. I want to protect them as well as myself. But this iteration of me - this Yusei doesn't have that same philosophy in dueling. I shouldn't expect something to protect – rather something to disable or destroy."
He looked at the cards in his hand and suddenly a web of possible scenarios went through his head, each card on the field and in his hand connected by white lines in the center of his mind's eye.
"I still don't know enough about his field to know what he'll do for certain, but at least with these cards, I'll have a fighting chance!" Yusei thought as he declared what he'd do.
"First, I'll use the Speed Spell – Shift Down! By reducing my Speed Counters by six, I'll draw two new cards!" Yusei said as the spell went into effect (SPC: 7 → 1)
He drew twice and slowed down as his other shot past him with the decrease in speed. Now he was holding five cards.
"Good." He thought as one of the two cards he'd just drawn was ideal in this situation.
"Battle Phase!" He declared as he prepared his attack.
"Hold on, I'll use Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force's effect! Salvation Sanctuary!' The other ahead of him spoke up, sticking an arm out to the side.
The Synchro dragon shimmered and scattered apart into sparkling blue particles that migrated around his D-Wheel, covering both it and the rider in a shimmering aura.
"I can tribute Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force and then I'll reduce the total amount of any damage you will deal me this turn by twenty five-hundred points!" The markerless Yusei explained.
"Well since I used a Spell while Nitro Warrior was in play, it gains one thousand attack points for this one battle!"
Nitro Warrior roared, flexing back as a white pillar of energy surged from underneath it, bathing it in light for a few moments.
"Now Nitro Warrior, focus your attack on his Quickdraw Warrior! Dynamite Knuckle!" Yusei shouted, extending an open hand as his monster attacked.
Nitro Warrior nodded, his body erupting in green flames as he blasted across the field, fists extended to smash apart his foe (7/2800 → 3800/1800).
"Hold on! I'll use this trap card – Division's Decision!" The other Yusei said, the trap springing up to reveal a massive white blast of energy tearing through the city on the card's artwork.
"This trap card destroys your entire field if you attack with a monster during the turn a monster card was sent from my field to the Graveyard!" The other Yusei said as the blast enveloped the field, knocking Nitro Warrior back. A white light grew from the center of the field as more and more of the area around them became harder to see.
"With this, I win. Your field will be destroyed and at the End Phase, Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force will revive and I'll use it to attack you directly, reducing your life points to zero! You took the bait, and now that will cost you the duel!"
Yusei grimaced as the blast from the trap card spread to his field, a white expanding pillar of energy consuming everything in it's path. He'd seen the same type of energy in his nightmares about Old Momentum.
Yusei narrowed his eyes and spoke up despite the trap card's ability.
"This fight isn't over yet! I counter your Division's Decision with my own trap card – Starlight Road!"
Yusei's previously set trap sprang up and a road of light shot out of it, striking Division's Decision and causing the trap card to shatter, stopping the expansion of the destructive blast of white.
"Starlight Road negates an effect that would destroy multiple cards I control. Then - I can special summon Stardust Dragon from my Extra Deck!" Yusei said as he raised the card and set it on his duel disk next to Nitro Warrior.
"Appear, Stardust Dragon!" Yusei commanded as his ace card hit his duel disk with a surge of white-blue power.
With a cry, Stardust Dragon emerged from the fading road of light, letting out a shriek as it flew beside Nitro Warrior (8/2500/2000).
"What? Another Stardust Dragon?!" The other him said, eyes wide beneath his visor. "Using a trap card to summon your ace monster straight from your Extra Deck?!"
Yusei closed his eyes briefly, then opened them with regained focus. "Nitro Warrior, continue your attack! Dynamite Knuckle!"
Nitro Warrior slammed into Quickdraw Warrior, causing the other Synchro to shatter.
The barrier of stardust around the other Yusei's D-Wheel parted, flying towards Nitro Warrior and formed into the shape of the dragon it used to be. The shimmering dragon intercepted the damage as it shuddered from the impact with Nitro Warrior and shrank slightly (YUSEI (TOPS) 2000 → 2000).
"Since I was going to take fourteen hundred points of battle damage from your boosted Nitro Warrior's attack, I reduced that damage to zero through Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force's ability!" The other Yusei explained.
"How about this then?! If your Stardust will defend, than mine will attack!" Yusei said. "Stardust Dragon, attack the other Yusei directly! Shooting Sonic!"
The ball of white static gathered in Stardust's mouth and the Synchro dragon let it fly, shooting the beam of white at the mirror image of it's partner.
"I'll use the remainder of Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force's effect to reduce that damage by eleven hundred!" the other him said, extending an arm out.
The shimmering Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force deflected the blast, shrieking in rage as it's glittering form slammed into the other Stardust Dragon. Both Stardusts let out twin cries as the attacking Stardust Dragon tried to swipe at it's twin with a claw on it's hand, but could not hit the intangible body.
Then Stardust Dragon built up more static in it's mouth, striking the other's form and burning it away to nothing, the remainder of the blast striking the other Yusei (Yusei (TOPS) 2000 → 600), (SPC: 5 → 4).
(End OST)
(Insert 5D's OST: Sound Duel 1: Showdown)
The other him slowed a small amount and now looked frustrated. If looks could kill, Yusei would be dead. As it was, Yusei instead took a breath and looked to the field.
"I was lucky. If your trap card only destroyed just one card, I wouldn't be able to use my trap to Special Summon Stardust Dragon like that. Right now, I have the advantage in monsters." He said aloud.
"But - you still have a set card. And like you said, that Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force will Special Summon itself at the End Phase. Plus you'll get to add a 'Warrior' monster to your hand during your next Standby Phase."
Yusei looked to his hand and nodded. "And in that case, I'll set a monster, then three cards face-down and end my turn!"
With four hums, a hidden monster appeared in front of Yusei's speeding D-Wheel while three set cards appeared around it.
A blast of light erupted from the other Yusei's field and with a shriek, Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force revived, flapping through the air as it re-joined it's summoner (8/2500/2100).
Turn 17: 600/250 , SPC: 5/2
"My turn!" The other Yusei said as he drew his next card.
"I'll use the effect of Grind Warrior! Since I used it for a Synchro Summon, I can add a level two or lower 'warrior' monster to my hand during this standby phase! So I'll now add my Halberd Warrior from my deck to my hand!"
Once that was said and done, he had five cards in his hand.
"First I'll summon Mono Synchron!"
A squat robot appeared, light green cylinders making up it's torso, arms and legs and yellow, shoulders and thighs. Mono Synchron had a red number '1' on it's yellow helmet and it glared at the other field with cartoon eyes (1/0/0).
"Then I'll use the effect of Synchro Overflow from my Graveyard! By removing it from play, I can special summon a 'warrior' monster from my hand!"
The markerless Yusei played another card on his duel disk. "So come back, Grind Warrior!" He said. The warrior in question appeared with a grunt, crossing it's arms (2/500/900).
Yusei saw the red padded warrior appear next to the Synchron and suddenly felt extremely tense.
"I'll now use Mono Synchron's effect to make my Grind Warrior level one!'
Mono Synchron pointed it's two cylindrical arms at the warrior in question, shooting it with a giant red stamp of the number '1' as it's level adjusted (2 → 1).
"And now I'm tuning my level one Mono Synchron to my now level one Grind Warrior!"
The two cards began tuning and Yusei could only watch.
"The smallest star unleashes a great shockwave! Ride on the road created from light! Synchro Summon! Appear, Synchro Tuner - Mono Warrior!"From the resulting summon yet another Synchro monster entered the fray. It was a larger variant of Mono Synchron appeared, cartoon eyes replaced with a more serious gaze as it's longer limbs and built human proportions suggested this tuner was much more experienced. It struck a pose, crouching and cradling a rounded blaster cannon sprouting from it's forearm with it's left hand (2/100/100).
"Synchro Tuner!?" Yusei observed. "That means that even with this mindset of his, he has the potential to-"
"Mono Warrior's effect, Reduction Force!" His other cried out.
The tuner raised it's right arm, which was a futuristic cannon, and steadied it with a left hand before blasting a small yellow sphere at Nitro Warrior. The sphere hit its mark and Nitro Warrior groaned as its stats plummeted (7/2800/1800 → 1/100/100).
"Reduction Force lowers any monster's statistics to level one, with one-hundred ATK and DEF points." The other Yusei remarked.
Yusei's eyes widened as Mono Warrior leapt into the air, doing a flip before it split up into two white rings of light that hovered in front of the other's Yusei-Go.
"And now - ! I tune my level eight Synchro Monster – Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force with my level two Synchro Tuner – Mono Warrior!" The others Yusei declared.
Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force flew behind the tuning rings, roaring as both it and it's controller rode towards a blue wake of speed that began to form around the D-Wheel. The wake grew in both size and intensity – becoming brighter as a great humming noise was heard. It was a noise Yusei was all too familiar with – yet one he never expected he would be facing off against again.
(5D's OST: Sound Duel 3: Catastrophe)
Then his other began to chant again.
"Clustering power that dwells inside this fist, change into a will that shatters steel...! Become the path its light shines upon!"Yusei couldn't believe it as the other sent both cards on his duel disk to the Graveyard before he pulled out a blank card, waving it to the side and holding it out.
The D-Wheel sped up again as he entered the wake." - ! "The other Yusei cried out, spinning the blank card between his fingers as it's card art, name, and statistics appeared in a flash of orange.Then with a shockwave, the other Yusei was gone.
Yusei immediately drifted to the left as far as he could as waves of pressure now built up behind him. He was wise to move, as a portal of light opened up behind him, parting as the pressure increased to a great degree and a red streak blasted out ahead of him, the other D-Wheel, followed by a massive glowing white form.The creature was not – as Yusei had suspected – a variant of Shooting Star Dragon, but rather a more humanoid monster. It's head was similar to Stardust's, with three curved horns that together made a crest of blue and white. It spun in midair to face him and Yusei felt it make eye contact. Two yellow eyes looked down on him in judgment behind a white battle mask that covered it's whole face (10/3000/2500).
"Appear - !"The other him commanded as the monster in question hovered over his field.
It looked like it was high ranking as it's shoulders and thighs were adorned with gold trim. And the creature's large mechanical arms were folded over a blue and white breastplate. The monster had a black under suit that had a red stripe going down it's side all the way to it's right thigh. Angular and luminescent pointed wings kept the creature airborne while they shone with light
"- Stardust Warrior!" The other him beckoned.
Yusei shuddered as he could feel the aura from the monster summoned. His D-Wheel even wobbled from the force created by the monster's summon. And one way or another, it's arrival would herald the end of their duel.
/
Card Shout-outs and some notes:
Most of the made up 'Warrior' Cards in this chapter are references to various anime (mostly mecha).
Mono Warrior is a homage to Rockman X/Megaman X.
Mach Warrior is a Macross VF-1 Valkyrie reference.
Quick-Draw Warrior is the only one who's not specifically a shout-out, but I felt there needed to be a Quick-Draw Warrior as all poor Quick-Draw is in 5D's is just a substitute Synchron and deserves a 'Warrior' counterpart of its own.
And of course Stardust Dragon – Eternal Force is meant to be a counterpoint to Red Demon's Dragon – Scar Right, as it's effect lets Stardust survive pretty much anything and keep your life-points safe from any kind of damage (to a degree). As Scar-Right has the same stats as Blue-Eyes White Dragon, it's only fair I give the same treatment to Eternal Force with Dark Magician's defense points being 2100.
*I was worried that Division's Decision would add too much extra stress in an already tense duel if I likened it to Zero Reverse even if it was just in metaphor (heck the 5D's writers themselves forgot that when they gave Yusei a speed spell with that exact name before they then decided that would be the name of the momentum reactor disaster).
*Not duel related but I felt the music added a lot to the scenes as Yu-Gi-Oh!, in all its forms, has always had an amazing soundtrack. Some songs like Catastrophe were really short so I hope that the length of the song matched the speed the story read.
Gallery of made up cards (debuting this chapter).
Monsters
Grind Warrior
2/500/700, EARTH
A monster in olive green armor with a gear motif. The helm covers its face and it wears a black leather under-suit.
Warrior/Effect: If you use this card as material for a Synchro summon, you can add a 'Warrior' monster from your deck, Graveyard, or banished zone to your hand during your next Standby Phase.
Seven Swords Synchron
3/300/800 EARTH
Machine/Effect
If this card is used as material for a Synchro summon, you can equip one equip spell card from your deck to a face up Synchro monster you control. If a Synchro 'Warrior' monster you control is destroyed, you can banish this card from your Graveyard, and if you do, add one equip spell card from your deck to your hand.
Description: A short and blocky samurai robot with several swords strapped to its body.
Stardust Synchron (2/300/800)
While you control this face-up card and at least one other face-up Synchro monster, you can treat this card as a Synchro Tuner for a Synchro Summon. Once per turn (Quick Effect), while you control no monsters, you can banish this card from your Graveyard to Special Summon a Synchro Monster with 'Stardust' in it's name from your Graveyard. You can only use each effect of 'Stardust Synchron' once per turn.
Traps
Synchro Overflow – Normal Trap
Description: Colossal Fighter roaring and looking up to the sky as beams of green light shoot out of its mouth and eyes.
Effect: Activate when a Synchro Monster you control leaves the field by battle or by an opponent's card effect. Special Summon a Tuner and a non Tuner from your deck whose' levels are equal or lower to the number of levels the Synchro monster had. You can banish this card from your Graveyard to special summon a monster with 'Warrior' in it's card name from your hand.
Division's Decision
Description: A blast of light similar to Zero Reverse tearing through the surrounding city.
Effect: Activate this card during the Battle Phase, after a card you control has been sent to the Graveyard. If you control less or an equal number of cards as your opponent, destroy all cards your opponent controls.
Extra Deck
Quick-Draw Warrior
7/2400/1400, WIND
Warrior/Synchro/Effect
Quick-Draw Synchron + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
Once per turn you can send a 'Synchron' monster from your deck to the graveyard, and if you do, this card gains the attack points of the sent monster until the end of the turn. Once per turn, you can target a Synchro 'Warrior' monster in your Graveyard and treat this card's effects as the chosen monsters' until the End Phase.Description: An android modeled after a cowboy. It looks like a grown up version of Quick-Draw Synchron, with the same hat and blue eye. It's wearing a poncho similar to the one Yusei had in the Crash Town Arc and wield two pistols. Synchro chant:"The swift shifting star appears to overwhelm the enemy! Ride on the road of light! Synchro Summon! Ready your aim, Quickdraw Warrior!"
Mach Warrior
6/2500/1900, WIND
Synchro/Warrior/Effect
Mach Synchron + 1 or more non-Tuner monsters
One per turn, during your End Phase, you can add a monster you used as Synchro material from your Graveyard to your hand (Even if this face-up card leaves the field). Once per turn (Quick Effect), you can perform a Synchro Summon using this card you control and a Tuner monster in your hand. You can only use each effect of 'Mach Warrior' once per turn, and only once that turn.
Synchro Chant:"From the vast dimensional fortress, the speeding star flies on the Valkyrie's wings! Ride on the road of light! Synchro Summon! Soar! Mach Warrior!"
Attack name: "Swarm - ! Missile Barrage!"
Effect name: "Shift-Change!" (For recovery), "Love's Remembrance!" (For the Tuning effect).
Mono Warrior
2/100/100/LIGHT
Synchro/Tuner/Machine/Effect
1 Tuner monster + 1 non-Tuner monster
If you control another Synchro monster, this face-up card cannot be destroyed by battle. This card gains the following effect(s): 1. Once per turn, (quick effect), you can select a monster your opponent controls and change its' LVL, ATK, and DEF to 1/100/100. 2. Once per turn, (quick effect) you can use this card to perform a Synchro summon using it and other monsters you control. You can only use one effect of Mono Warrior per turn, and only once that turn.
"The smallest star unleashes a great shockwave! Ride on the road created from light! Synchro Summon! Appear, Synchro Tuner - Mono Warrior!"
Description: A humanoid android in a blue and yellow futuristic armored body. Its right arm is a blaster cannon and it had a helmet with a '1' on the center.
Effect name: "Reduction Force!"Attack name: "Magma Buster!"