SailorStar9: With Chapter 51 uploaded, I present Chapter 52 of this fic. For everyone who put this fic on your favorited and followed lists and/or story alerts, thank you, but remember everyone, a lot of authors (myself included) sustain on readers' reviews.
Disclaimer: I own nothing expect the Safiastra and Ami's dueling deck.
Chapter 52: Slifer the Sky Dragon
"'Nightmare's Steelcage' is a card that makes it so both of us can't attack each other for three turns." Strings explained.
"Damnit." Yami Yuugi cursed. "He intends to use these three turns to generate more 'Jam Tokens' to sacrifice."
"I may not be able launch the Battle Phase now, but I can Summon 'Jam Tokens' to the field." Strings confirmed.
There's no mistaking this gut feeling. Yami Yuugi frowned. He must have the God Card in his hand already. He's going to Summon Slifer.
"Burn this image of me into your mind." Strings started. "The moment I Summon 'Slifer the Sky Dragon'. Now, it's your turn. I said that, but you can't do anything against me. How does it feel to have your freedom snatched away from you as you are locked within this cage? Humiliation? Or maybe despair?"
"That's the fate I've dealt with my entire life." Marik glared. "The Tomb Guardian's clan."
What did I do to Marik and his clan? Yami Yuugi was puzzled.
"The moment I claim the title of Pharaoh from killing you is the moment I will obtain true freedom." Marik declared. "And I will become the new Pharaoh.
I'm the Pharaoh. Yami Yuugi mused. Yet I have no memories of it. And that is why I can't afford to lose here. For everyone waiting for me and for the promise to fight a friend who will become a true Duelist, for the life of my partner. And in order to get back my lost memories. "I can't lose. Turn over." he drew a card and ended his turn.
"At last, the moment has come." Strings droned. "My turn."
"He gathered all his sacrifices." Yami Yuugi growled when a third 'Jam Token' appeared.
"Behold, this is God." Strings taunted as the skies grew overcast.
A streak of lightning shot down from the sky, destroying the 'Jam Breeding Machine' and the three Summoned 'Jam Tokens'. A pillar o light shone down from the sky, revealing 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' in all its glory.
"This is..." Yami Yuugi gaped in horror. "'Slifer the Sky Dragon'."
"That's right." Strings chuckled. "This is one of the three Illusionary Beast cards, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon'."
My body froze against my will. Yami Yuugi was stunned. It's not just this steel cage. I'm frozen in fear because of Slifer, I can feel the powerful aura flowing from Slifer. The sky itself is shaking. Is it even possible for me to defeat this Illusionary Beast?
"You can't." Marik conferred via Strings. "There is no way to defeat Slifer. All Duelists are powerless against Slifer's Infinite Attack: even you, Pharaoh."
"Infinite power?" Yami Yuugi echoed.
"It's been too long, Slifer." Ami breathed. "3000 years since I last saw you and your two Godly associates."
"Ami, what do you mean?" Yami Yuugi turned to the lone spectator.
"Unlike you, Yuugi, I retained much of my past life's memories from 3000 years ago." Ami admitted. "The three of the Illusionary Beasts originally belonged to your past self."
"'Slifer the Sky Dragon's Attack Points equals 1000 times the number of cards in the player's hand." Strings explained. "Right now, I hold two cards, meaning it now has 2000 Attack Points. In other words, if I do this... the Magic Card: 'Pot of Greed'. With this, I lose one card from my hand. But 'Pot of Greed' is a card that allows me to draw two cards from my deck. Now I gain two cards in my hand, meaning Slifer's Attack is 3000."
"That means it'll be 4000 next turn." Yami Yuugi realized. "No, Duel Monsters states that the End Phase you are only permitted 6 cards in your hand. Meaning, by my turn, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon's Attack can reach 6000."
Up to 6000? Marik mocked. How naive. I said infinite power. I have a card in my hand that will increase it even further. A Continuous Magic that grants me an unlimited hand. "Moreover, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' holds another Special Ability." he informed via Strings. "When your next turn comes to an end, the Steel cage disappears. At that moment, Slifer's attack can reach you. It's your turn."
Currently, Slifer's Attack is 3000. Yami Yuugi thought. My 'Buster Blader's Attack goes up by 500 points for every Dragon on the field. It's Attack will go up by 500 points. In other words, 'Buster Blader' will have 3100 Attack Points. If I attack right now, I can defeat Slifer. But my attack this turn has been sealed by this steel cage. If he draws a card next turn, Slifer will gain another 1000 Attack Points.
"What's wrong?" Strings taunted. "Has the terror paralyzed you so much that you cant' even draw a card? The Battle Phase is stopped because of the Steel cage but you can still play a reverse card or Summon a Monster. You can at least pretend not to have give up hope, right? Let me see it. Your struggling form agonizing in the cage before me."
"I won't lose." Yami Yuugi stood firm. There's no way I can give up. There has to be a way to defeat Slifer within this hand.
On his yacht...
"If you think about it and think about it some more, you should understand." Marik mocked. "That you have no hope of winning."
With Yami Yuugi and Strings...
His next turn will determine the match. Yami Yuugi made his play. "I set 2 reverse cards. Also, I call 'Kuriboh' onto the field in Defense Mode. Turn over."
"And now, the Steel cage will finally disappear." Strings added. "The steel cage that has been protecting your life up until now. My turn. And Slifer's Attack goes up by 1000 Points. Slifer, attack."
"Reverse card open." Yami Yuugi countered. "'Lightforce Sword'. Using this Magic Card, I'll seal one of your cards. 'Buster Blader' evades 'Slifer the Sky Dragon's attack."
The 'Revival Jam' jumped into take the attack head-on.
"Have you forgotten?" Strings reminded. "As long as my Permanent Trap 'Jam Defender' remains on the field, you can't attack any of my Monsters. And at this time, I activate a Continuous Magic Card."
"'Card of Safe Return'?" Yami Yuugi blinked.
"When a Monster is returned to the field, this Continuous Magic Card allows me to draw 3 cards from my deck." Strings explained. "Now I have 5 cards in my hand. 'Slifer the Sky Dragon's Attack Points rises to 5000. 'Buster Blader' is assassinated." he took out 'Buster Blader'. "Do you get it? For every card in my hand, Slifer grows more invincible. And this isn't even the extent of the God's power. On your next turn, I'll show you another of Slifer's terrifying abilities. Now it's your turn."
I have 'Kuriboh' in Defense Mode and one set card on my field. Yami Yuugi considered his options. And none of the cards in my hand will save me. What's the next card sleeping in my deck? I have no choice but to bet on this card. "My turn." 'Magic Cylinder'. It's a Magic card that can only be played in combination with a Magician card. 'Magician Girl', I have no other choice than to use this against him. "I sacrifice 'Kuriboh' and Summon 'Dark Magician Girl'' in Defense Mode."
"So you Summoned a new Monster?" Strings was not impressed. "At this moment, Slifer's other Special Effect activates. When a new Monster is Summoned on the field, Slifer automatically delivers the opponent 2000 points of damage. If that card is in Attack Mode, it's Attack Points are reduced. If in Defense Mode, then their Defense Points. Then that Monster will be wiped out if they have less."
"'Dark Magician Girl' has 1700 Defense Points." Yami Yuugi realized. "A Monster that attacks on the opponent's turn?" he gaped when Slifer fired an energy blast from its second mouth."
"Not a Monster." Marik declared. "A God."
"Reverse card, open." Yami Yuugi countered.
"Your magical girl's life was cut short." Strings chuckled.
"We'll see about that." Yami Yuugi retorted. "The Magic Card: 'Magical Hats'. What a shame. Slifer failed to guess the right 'Magical Hat' she's hiding in."
"Try your very best." Strings mocked. "Though it's useless to resist."
"As long as I still have some Life remaining, I will fight." Yami Yuugi snapped. "I place 2 set cards face-down on the field. Turn end."
"So you hid cards beneath the 'Magical Hats'?" Strings was impressed. "My turn. Right now, I have 6 cards in my hand. According to the rules of a Duel, I can hold no more than this. But, if I play this card, I can hold an unlimited number of cards. Continuous Magic: 'Infinite Cards'."
"Why am I not surprised he has that card?" Ami shook her head.
"So, you do know what that means?" Stings taunted. "Slifer will increase its Attack Points infinitely. And now, the Battle Phase. 'Slifer the Sky Dragon', attack. Aim for the 'Magical Hat' on the right. The 'Magical Hat' and 'Dark Magician Girl' have been annihilated." he was confident he hit his target.
"'Magic Cylinder' has absorbed Slifer's attack." Yami Yuugi activated his Magic card. I hid 2 cards in the hat you attacked along with 'Dark Magician Girl'. 'Magic Cylinder' and 'Spellbinding Circle'. And now, Slifer's attack will appear in the other cylinder and will be aimed at you."
"It's useless." Strings tsked. "Didn't I tell you? That no one can do a thing against a God."
'Revival Jam' jumped in and took the attack.
"'Revival Jam' even blocks redirected attacks?" Yami Yuugi was stunned.
"'Revival Jam' reforms." Strings stated, the water-based Monster reforming in front of him. At this moment, the Continuous Magic 'Card of Safe Return' allows me to draw 3 cards. Slifer's Attack goes up by 3000 points. And at the Draw Phase, it goes up another 1000 points."
"8300 Attack Points." Yami Yuugi breathed in shock.
"'Spellbinding Circle' won't work against God." Strings bragged. "All magical effects only work for one turn and then disappear."
With a 9000 Attack Point, 'Slifer the Sky Dragon' took out 'Dark Magician Girl'.
"Behold." Strings declared. "These 5 cards gathered on the field make the Ultimate Combo: the God Five. Perfect and completely invincible. These complete every flaw the God has and make it untouchable."
"I can't win." Yami Yuugi was forced to admit. "I can't defeat Slifer."
"Stand up, Yuugi!" Kaiba barked from the river bank. "Your life as a Duelist doesn't end here. You're the only Duelist I acknowledge. I won't allow a shameless loss right before my eyes. I know you can see it: our road of battle goes further than the eye can see. Are you unable to stand here? If there's a God standing in your way, mow the God down."
"I was wondering when you two will show up." Ami gave the Kaiba brothers a nod. "Yuugi, there's a flaw in Marik's God Five Combo."
SailorStar9: Any OOC-nes is regretted. *Sighs* Don't you just hate plot bunnies sometimes? Reviews are much appreciated.