Chapter 7 – Stellar Progeny

- If you agree, I'd like to start - began the guardian..

- I don't see why I should oppose - replied the dark brown, then drawing the usual five cards from his deck, under the gaze of those present, intent on observing carefully what was going to be an exciting duel, to say the least.

At the same time, the strange boy who had witnessed the clash of the master of the "Galaxy-Eyes" decided to turn on his heel and leave, not particularly attracted by what he was about to see, when a sound coming from a small earpiece inserted into his right ear, rumbled in his head, stopping his advancement

- Aren't you going to stay and enjoy this show? - someone on the other end asked him. His voice was warm and hoarse, so much so that it sounded like a threat and an invitation at the same time.

- It's not worth it - the bluish-haired individual answered quickly, but the moment the mysterious man was about to reply, the young man interrupted him - I'm just saying that the only one who could have given us any trouble at the moment was none other than the great "Kite Tenjo", although this duel has allowed me to ascertain that he himself no longer represents any threat to our work, although, we could always take him out of the way, should he bite off more than he can chew -

- Your job is not to think! - admonished the individual - For that there are us. You only have to execute the orders like the good little soldier that you are and bring us what we need. I hope I was clear enough. -

- Crystal clear - replied the other, squinting his eyelids. In his tone we could perceive a certain hint of sarcasm.

- What about the boy? - the man asked again

- He is but a speck of dust on our path. A petulant brat struggling to emerge from the shadows of a legend. But should he have even the slightest chance in the future, I'll be enough to fix him -

- Roger that! Now go back, we have another mission for you - concluded the man, interrupting the communication. The young man turned a last glance at them, in particular at the blond man - "Now that I've seen what a Galaxy-Eyes user is capable of, I'm even more determined to defeat you" - having said that, he disappeared in the darkness that entirely enveloped that urbanistic shortcut, as if he had vanished

Shugo = 8000 LP
Hand= 5
Deck = 35

Shiyuki = 8000 LP
Hand= 5
Deck = 35

-I start by placing a monster in defense, then from my hand I activate the spell card "Silent Keepers", which allows me to choose a monster directly from my deck and place it face-down. I choose "Keahi, the volcanic drakeeper". I end the turn by placing a face-down card-

- Drakeeper, right? - commented the owner of the "Space" monsters drawing from his deck - I wonder why I found it a rather obvious thing -.

But the old man did not answer, continuing to keep his gaze fixed on the field

- He has a purely defensive way of playing - Ren remarked, glancing left and right.

- This is a tactic usually used in order to study and analyze the opponent's moves, then acting accordingly - explained seriously the blond man who uses "Cipher" monsters.

- What's the fuss? - asked a white and suave voice, which forced all present except Shiyuki, to turn around.

It belonged to Isabel, who had just left her home. She looked better than usual today, at least according to Ren's words or the glances raven-haired man sent him in passing: She was wearing her signature leather jacket, though distinctly different from the one worn during her wanderings through the streets of Limit City, and it certainly didn't go unnoticed by our duelist's eyes; her hair was kept tied in a ponytail by a sort of peach-colored bow, letting a few front wisps fall softly over her white T-shirt, which highlighted her slender, "knockout" physique, as some youngster would have called it. Some black, ripped jeans and a pair of high white converse completed the ensemble.

- Hi Ren, what are you doing here? And who is this handsome man sitting next to you? - asked the girl, fascinated by this young man unknown to her eyes.

- Isabel Hoshiko, I officially introduce you to Kite Tenjo, one of the best duelists who ever lived, Shiyuki's father - upon receiving this kind of information, she became visibly red, which made the boy of the "Burning Horror" smile mischievously

- N-N-i-nice to meet you... -

- The pleasure is all mine, Isabel - replied the blond, giving her a smile that many could judge bewitching and smiling even more when he saw her cheekbones turning purple, almost on the verge of exploding. Keeping his head down, he went to settle down next to his friend, who didn't stop smiling like an idiot

- Anyway, could someone please explain to me what the hell is going on? Why are you here, and why is Shiyuki dueling against a creepy looking guy wrapped in a cloak? Carnival's not here yet - after briefly returning to her natural complexion, Isabel threw herself into a flurry of questions, getting angry when Ren laughed in her face

- It's not funny - she huffed, rolling up the sleeves of her jacket, if someone hadn't stopped her in time, the poor little blue boy would have ended up in the hospital for sure, or worse.

- It's a long story, Isabel - the blond intervened - The fact is that everything will be revealed to us if Shiyuki manages to beat Tatsuhiko, the guy you just called creepy, as well as the guardian -

- Guardian? - she asked, confused again - I feel like I'm going to have a headache, but why does everything have to be solved with a duel? - she concluded, moving a lock of her hazel hair.

- Because it's fun and stimulating - Ren replied, crossing his arms.

- Men - he mumbled, assuming a rather amused expression.

- I think Ren is right - Kite commented, emitting a slight amused smile - In our world it's the fastest way to solve any hostility, as well as a way to overcome our limits and talk to people having fun - this last note reminded him of the good old days, when he learned what the real meaning of a duel was, but that's "ancient history", as they say

- At this point I think I should learn to duel too - he burst out with a toothy smile.

- That's a very good idea, but I thought that Shiyuki had already taught you something - replied the young man, then turning towards the user of the "Burning Horror", who, as usual, never missed an opportunity to play the fool.

- The fact is that he tried - she explained - But I'm a total wreck and I always make a mess.

- That's because you're a girl - the blue-haired man interrupted her, but he was fulminated by the look Shiyuki's father gave him.

- Am I mistaken or was the one who was about to knock you out a girl? - Mr. Tenjo asked slyly, suddenly silencing him - All in good time, Isabel. I'm sure you'll have your moment too -

- Thank you Mr. Tenjo. But am I mistaken, or did you say earlier, "If he can defeat it," you don't believe in your son's ability or that he can win? - she asked again, as curious as the blue boy.

- It's still too early to say- explained the young man - We don't know anything about his playing style, and the play he just made is just a way to throw us off. Shiyuki is not a beginner, and he should have understood that by now, plus he has to learn that there will always be someone better or stronger than him, and that victory doesn't always seem so easy to achieve -.

The two, impressed by those words, turned their eyes towards the two-toned, now that it was his turn to show his skills

-Since I don't control any monsters on my field and you do, I can special summon "Space Star - Yellow Dwarf" from my hand - a yellowish luminescent orb of medium size entered the field, it was a star and seemed to somehow give off a strong heat, probably due to the glowing jets of plasma that from time to time emerged from its surface (Lv4/ Atk: 1700/ Def: 1300)

-He's off to a great start - commented the user of Pyro-type monsters, and the two who accompanied him could only nod, even if the blond continued to observe him with a rather serious look, as if he kept a certain note of distrust

-Then, since on your field there is a monster in defense position, I can special summon this card from my hand: "Space Driller", come forward - the mechanized and armored centipede made its appearance, frantically waving the silvery drill in place of the snout (Lv4/ Atk:1900/ Def: 0) - I then proceed to summon normally the monster "Space Whitespike" in attack position -

A guttural sound echoed in the air and immediately jumped on the field a monstrous creature with a very unique appearance, it seemed a combination of an insect and something vaguely extraterrestrial, very similar to hexapods, but of a whitish color, so much so as to seem almost albino. In quadrupedal position, it had four main legs, muscular and clawed, between which sprouted something resembling a membrane, and a pair of legs smaller than the previous but long, similar to those of mantids. Its exoskeleton was heavily armored, protecting the agile and slender body, with a few spines scattered here and there, ending in the back with two long tentacle-like appendages, which opened like petals, revealing a hole that contained ivory-colored spikes, and curved forward in a way very similar to the sting of a scorpion. On the top of the head were two pairs of eyes, and another pair of eyes on either side. It emitted an eerie growl, revealing jaws bristling with razor-sharp fangs. Something it was best to stay away from (Lv4/ Atk:1800/ Def: 1200)

- What the hell is that thing? - Isabel asked with a very disgusted expression.

- I must say that you have a very unusual deck - commented the man with the bluish cloak - It groups together disgusting looking beings and space phenomena, I wonder what else you have to show me -

- I'd go easy on the insults, old man. And don't be impatient, I'll show you what my amazing deck has to offer - replied the boy with a smirk.

- I notice that on your side of the field you have three monsters of the same level, Xyz Summoning coming up? - but the young man didn't answer, just placed a face-down card and ended his turn.

- He's teasing him - blurted out the young two-toned man.

- It seems that his strategy is also based on this - replied the blond with icy eyes.

- What do you mean by that? - asked Shiyuki's friend.

- You see, Isabel...Since Shiyuki had two monsters of the same level on the field, he could have easily summoned "Star-Eyes Wyvern" and destroyed the faxe-down cards with its effect, inflicting a not insignificant damage, and then he could have used it to attack and inflict further piercing damage with the effect of "Space Driller", but he preferred not to make any of these possible moves, nor other combinations, because he is acting driven by the provocations of his opponent and with the utmost caution, which is not exactly a bad thing, but could still be a disadvantage if he abused it - he explained

-Oh, looks like it's my turn again - said the guardian drawing from the deck

Shugo = 8000 LP
Hand= 3
Graveyard= 1
Deck = 33

Shiyuki = 8000 LP
Hand= 2
Deck = 34

- I think I'll place another face-down monster. I gladly give you the hand -

- Are you making fun of me? - asked the slightly angry boy, drawing from his deck - What kind of a way to play is that? -

- Believe me, boy - replied the old man, taking an even more serious tone, - My moves are anything but random or senseless, and in a moment I will give you a demonstration. -

- In this case - continued the boy, - I normal summon "Space Starship Double Bomber" in an attack position -

A warlike-looking aircraft landed on the playing field, it was composed of a rather light but compact slate-colored metal alloy, ending in a horizontal tail adorned with multiple ailerons, allowing it greater stability and maneuvering. On each side of the armored fuselage, a double rocket launcher was well attached and a similar-M134 placed centrally on the nose, completed the whole (Lv:4/ Atk: 1600/ Def: 1200)

- A "tuner" monster? - the guardian and Shiyuki's friend asked in unison.

- Exactly - replied the boy - Its effect is activated immediately: if on my field there is a "Space", "Space Starship" or "Space Star" monster, I can choose as a target one of those monsters and reduce the level of this card by half of the level that the reference monster had. I choose "Space Driller", which is level 4, so this card's level becomes 2 -

- Is he going to summon his "Star-Eyes Dragon"? - asked hopeful Isabel, who although she didn't know exactly the dynamics of the game played, had observed countless times the frightening power of that magnificent beast

- I'd say not - Kite began to explain - In order to summon his Ace Monster he should have a level 4 tuner monster, which is no longer possible, at least for the moment. And since the peculiarity of that dragon is that in order to take full advantage of its immense power, it is necessary that in the graveyard there is a Wyrm or a Dragon-type monster, it is currently an impractical choice, since the graveyard is completely lacking of such cards. Moreover, to summon it now would be a huge mistake, since Shiyuki doesn't know his strategy nor the opponent's deck, so he should at least consider a third option -

- A third option? - the two asked incredulously

- You'll soon see what I'm talking about, unless he gets too carried away or makes a mistake - concluded the young man.

- I overlay "Space Whitespike" and "Space Star - Yellow Dwarf" both level 4. With these two monsters I build the overlay network! From the depths of the cosmos comes the most powerful star in the entire galaxy, Evocation Xyz! Light the way, Space Gigastar! -

Something like a stellar wind began to blow furiously near the opening from which the creature would emerge, and a flash of snowy light flooded the surrounding ground, temporarily blinding those present, then changing to a more golden hue. In a whirlwind of gas mixed with dust, there appeared a celestial body of rather singular appearance: it was golden and five-pointed, each ending in a single spherical object. Two eyeball-like conformations opened in the center, pitch black and furrowed with a strange light (Rank: 4/ Atk: 2000/ Def: 1500/ Material : 2)

- Do you think such a little being should frighten me? But let's not talk nonsense - commented the man, under the watchful eyes of the three spectators.

- Instead you should - replied the boy dryly - But why waste time answering, risking to make the guest of the evening wait. It's time to liven up this party! I activate the spell card "Interstellar Rayverse" thanks to which I can choose up to two monsters on my field and make them attribute light. I choose "Space Driller" and "Space Starship Double Bomber" -

- A rather unusual choice - observed the duelist of the "Drakeeper".

- What is the point of such a move? - asked the blue-haired one, receiving in reply a similar smirk from the blond, under the confused eyes of Isabel, who was racking her brain in a desperate attempt to learn and understand the rudiments and the moves of the duel in progress - We are about to find out - was all he said, leaving the young people rather incredulous about the truthfulness of his words

- To prove yourself worthy, you'll have to show all your skills and resources, come on, I'm eagerly waiting for you - the guardian urged him, spreading his arms wide.

- I do not ask for better - replied the other - I tune the level 2 monster tuner "Space Starship Double Bomber" with the level 4 "Space Driller". (4+2 =6). From the piles of interstellar dust that make up the Beyondverse, another mind-blowing power is ready to emerge and will be brighter than ever. Synchro Summon! Here it comes, hurtling through the skies, the celestial-eyed monster more disruptive than a comet and more destructive than a black hole, Star-Eyes Tatzelwurm! -

Two cyclones of swirling interstellar material began to form and a sort of chasm right in the center of this calamity, from which a third tornado slowly emerged, larger than the previous ones, but the most amazing thing was the creature that was riding it, it looked a lot like a snake even if the size was definitely huge compared to a common reptile. The upper part of its body was covered by an apparently soft fur and a pure white as the full moon, but the feature that stood out the most to the eye were the bluish stones that seemed almost set throughout the body of the being, anyone could have confused with lapis lazuli because of the shade, but they were definitely more interesting and just a few seconds to observe them that you could see the play of cold colors that animated them. The tail, different from the rest of the body, appeared smooth and crossed by about ten golden rings, ending with a tip that released, as it passed, flames of a thousand shades of blue that gave off an icy cold. The draconic snout had three horn-like outgrowths, the first one was placed right on its top, leaning back and leaving a trail of golden dust, the remaining two were right at the sides but in the intersection of the neck, extending downwards, in a very similar way to the tusks of elephants, the menacing eyes of an intense blue sapphire completed the whole, giving to that amazing beast an even more solemn aspect. (Lv: 6/Atk: 2000/Def: 1500)

- A superb creature - observed the guardian, admiring the magnificence of the beast that moved its long body sinuously, waving its red-hot tail in a threatening way.

- Something tells me that you were waiting for an entirely different monster - replied the young man with a smirk, alluding to the xyz monster he had used in his first duel against that ugly mug - But alas, I'm afraid I must disappoint you -

-Is that the third option you mentioned just now? - asked the blue-haired man in amazement - I've never seen Shiyki use such a monster. -

-That's because the opponents he faced so far were inept - explained the boy's father - So he relied on the combination with his top monster to defeat them quickly, but here... is a different story -

- You see... - began the raven-haired man - This monster is not easy to summon and requires at least one of the monsters, especially the tuner, to be of light attribute -

- This partly explains the reason for the previous move - the man retorted

- Exactly - replied the young man - But let's proceed in order. As an effect of "Interstellar Rayverse", if the chosen monsters are used as material for the special summoning of a monster whose name contains the word "Star", I can draw two cards - he explained, drawing vigorously from his deck, while glancing at his trusted companion who stood proudly on the field - As you will soon realize, my monster has a special effect that is activated according to the attribute of the materials used for its summoning -

- What?! - exclaimed the guardian and the two kids

- That's right, and now Battle! It activates the effect of my Wyrm, having used "Double Bomber" become of light attribute, it can attack you directly. -

- Now I understand! - Ren exclaimed - He needed another light attribute monster to activate this special power. It is truly a marvel -

- You are full of surprises, Mr. Tenjo - declared the guardian - So, come on, let me feel the full force of your beast -

- I won't let you tell me a second time - replied the other one, - Go, Tatzelwurm, make a direct attack -

With an almost unnatural sprint, the monster with its serpentine appearance pounced on the poor victim as if it were its prey, feasting on its own life points, which made it move back a few meters (8000 - 2000 = 6000)

- Go that way, Shiyuki - his companion incited him, attracting the attention of the two next to him, who observed him with amusement

- This is the Shiyuki I know - Ren continued

- I must say that you're not bad at all - the guardian burst out.

- I'm just warming up - replied the young man - Since my monster has inflicted damage on you, I can banish one of your monsters on the field, I choose the one on the left.

The draconic being hurled one of its fang-like outgrowths at the aforementioned face-down card, revealing a crimson dragon with curved horns, disintegrating it into small shards

- The effect of the monster you have just removed is activated - the opponent intervened - If it is destroyed or banished, I can add from to my deck to the hand a Dragon-type monster of level 4 or lower, in this case, I choose "Panjalak, the granite drakeeper" -

- Now that there are no more interruptions, I can proceed with my next move. Go for it, "Tatzelwurm" attacks! -

- You must surely have made a mistake or maybe you don't know the rules of this game - replied his challenger - You can declare an attack only with one monster at a time and not more than one -

- No mistake - countered the raven-haired one - If "Space Starship Double Bomber" is used as a material for the special summoning of a monster, it can attack twice every Battle Phase -

- Tsk! -

- Now, my faithful ally, Acidic Nova! -

-Not so fast! - Tatsuiko interrupted him - I activate the trap card "Wrath of the Drakeepers" thanks to which I can negate your attack and end the Battle Phase, then I can add a Dragon type monster from my deck to my hand. I choose " Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon", in this way, we receive damage equal to that monster's level multiplied by 100. A small price to pay for all the pieces to click into place -

A ray exploded into many small fragments, which impacted against the duelists (6000-800 = 5200) (8000-800 = 7200)

- I place a face-down card and end the turn -

- Damn it! - protested the user of the Pyro monsters - If it wasn't for that trap card, he could have sent more precious life points into the flames of the abyss -

- Here we go! - the guardian began, drawing vigorously from his deck - And now to show you what a guardian worthy of this title is capable of... -

Silent Keepers: Normal Spell Card: Choose a monster directly from your deck and place it face down in defense position

Keahi, the volcanic drakeeper:

Attribute: Fire type [Dragon/Effect] Atk: 1600 Def: 800. Level: 4. If this card is destroyed or banished, you can add a level 4 or lower "Drakeeper" monster from your deck to your hand. When this card is banished: Target a spell / trap card on your opponent's field, destroy it, then inflict 500 point of damage to that card's owner.

Wrath of the Drakeepers: Normal Trap Card. You can activate this card when your opponent declares a direct attack: negate that attack and end the Battle Phase, then add a Dragon-type monster from your deck to your hand, then both take damage equal to the level of the monster added to the your hand x100.

Space Star - Yellow Dwarf:

Attribute: Light type [Pyro/Effect] Atk: 1700 Def: 1300 Level: 4. Once per turn, if you control no other monsters: You can Special Summon 1 "Space Star" monster from your hand as a Level 4 monster.

Space Whitespike

Attribute: Dark type [Reptile] Atk: 1800 Def: 1200 Level: 4. A virtually invulnerable creature said to have emerged from a spaceship trapped in the glaciers of a remote planet and used as a type of biological weapon for the purpose of cleaning up planets inhabited by parasitic and inferior species

Space Starship Double Bomber:

Attribute: Dark type [Machine/Tuner/Effect] Atk: 1600 Def: 1200 Level: 4. If you do not control any monsters on your field, you can specially Summon this card from your hand, when this card is Summoned this way, you can add a "Space Starship" or a "Space Starship" monster from your deck to your hand. level 4 or lower from your deck. When you summon this card, if there is a face-up "Space", "Space Star", or "Space Starship" monster on your field, you can target one of those monsters and make this card's level equal to half the level of that monster. If this card is used as material for the special summoning of a monster from the Extra Deck or Ritual, that monster can attack twice during the Battle Phase.

Interstellar Rayverse: Quick-play Spell Card. Target up to 2 monsters on your field: They become light attribute. If the chosen monsters are used as material for the special summoning of a monster whose name contains the word "Star", you can draw 2 cards.

Space Gigastar:

Attribute: Light type [Pyro/Xyz/Effect] Atk: 2000 Def: 1500. Rank: 4 . 2 level 4 "Space" monsters

(This card is always treated as a "Space Star" monster.)
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; this card gains 600 ATK and DEF. Once per turn, when this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to your opponent's Graveyard: You can attach it to this card as Xyz Material. You cannot attach Xyz Materials to this card, except by its own effect.

Star-eyes Tatzelwurm:

Attribute: Light type [Wyrm/Synchro/Effect] Atk: 2000 Def: 1500 Level: 6. 1 light tuner + 1 or more non-tuner monsters

If this card is Synchro Summoned: This card gains the following effect, depending on the Attribute of the non-Tuner(s) used as Synchro Material.
● LIGHT: This card can attack directly. If this card inflict battle damage: banish 1 monster your opponent controls.
● DARK: Once per turn: target 1 monster your opponent controls; return it to its controller's hand, then inflict 1000 damage to your opponent.