This Duel is based on the Duel in the anime, so that's why there are some similar features.

The cards in Aporia's Deck, especially the Meklord Emperors, are of the video games version, so there are no anime card effects in this chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's characters! I only own my OCs!

Chapter 108: Hope Bound for the Future

"Duel!" Aporia and Z-one yelled before they both drew their first five cards.

Aporia: 4000 LP

Z-one: 4000 LP

Just like with the other members of Iliaster, Z-one held his cards in the right hand. Was it a common trait that Iliaster were left-handed?

"I go first!" Aporia called as he placed his hand on top of his Deck to draw his sixth card. "My turn! I activate the Field Spell; Fortissimo the Mobile Fortress!"

The whole area got covered by the Solid Vision and made it look like we were inside a futuristic fortress. We were standing on a platform and had nowhere to go while Aporia stood alone on another platform in front of a massive machine that had features kinda resembling his Meklord Astro Mekanikle that he used in the Grand Prix.

"This is the same Field Spell Aporia used in our Duel!" Leo called.

"Fortissimo the Mobile Fortress's effect!" Aporia called. "Once per turn, I can Special summon one Meklord Army Monster from my hand! I Special summon Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato in attack mode!"

Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato, Level 4: ATK 1200

"He didn't use that Monster in our Duel…", Luna pointed out.

"Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato's effect!" Aporia continued. "During my Main Phase, I can destroy Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato and then Special summon two Meklord Army Monsters from my Deck in defense mode, except Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato, and I cannot Special summon Monsters for the rest of this turn, except machine Monsters."

The Meklord Army started beeping for three seconds before it detonated itself. Smoke engulfed the platform where Aporia was standing, but it soon cleared up and revealed two gates next to him.

"I Special summon Meklord Army of Skiel and Meklord Army of Granel!"

Meklord Army of Skiel, Level 4: DEF 100

Meklord Army of Granel, Level 4: DEF 1200

"I now activate Boon of the Meklord Emperor! If the only face-up Monsters on the field are two Meklord Monsters, I can draw two cards. I cannot conduct my Battle Phase the turn I activate this card, but this is the very first turn of the Duel, so it won't matter. I summon Grand Core."

Grand Core, Level 1: ATK 0

There it was. One of the Meklord Emperors' cores has appeared. It only meant one thing. He was going to summon Meklord Emperor Granel.

"I activate the Spell card Chaos Bloom from my hand. When there are no cards with the same name in my Graveyard, one Monster with 1000 or fewer attack points is destroyed. I destroy Grand Core!"

Aporia aimed the Spell card at Grand Core before it unleased a lightning bolt. The lightning struck the core and destroyed it into shiny particles that remained on the field.

"When an effect destroys Grand Core, the other Monsters on my field are destroyed and, from my Deck, hand or Graveyard, I can Special summon Level 1 Meklord Emperor Granel, Granel Top, Granel Attack, Granel Guard and Granel Carrier!"

Meklord Emperor Granel, Level 1: ATK 0

Granel Top, Level 1: ATK 500

Granel Attack, Level 1: ATK 1300

Granel Guard, Level 1: DEF 1000

Granel Carrier, Level 1: ATK 700

"Combine, Meklord Emperor Granel!"

The five compartments unfolded themselves before they combined into one to form the entirety of Meklord Emperor Granel. It still surprised me that it was so huge.

"Meklord Emperor Granel's attack points are equal to half of my Life Points."

Meklord Emperor Granel, Level 1: ATK 0 – ATK 2000

If Aporia already summoned one of the Meklord Emperors, then he was preparing for a powerful counterattack from Z-one. However, why did he bother to summon those Meklord Armies? Those hadn't been needed from the beginning. Unless…he had some sort of a secret plan.

"I set one card and end my turn", Aporia said. "But! During the End Phase, Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato's effect activates! Since it was sent to the Graveyard, I can inflict 100 points of damage to my opponent for each Meklord Monster I control! I only have Meklord Emperor Granel and he only counts as one, so that will only be 100 damage!"

One of the cannons on the fortress loaded the remnants of Meklord Army Deployer before it aimed itself at Z-one. It soon fired a rocket that exploded when it came on contact with Z-one's left arm. Z-one didn't make a single noise as he got hit and smoke engulfed him.

Aporia: 4000 LP

Z-one: 4000 LP – 3900 LP

The smoke cleared up fast and revealed a small dent on Z-one's mechanical arm. Other than that, he was still floating in the air.

"Meklord Emperor Granel…", Z-one mumbled. "Aporia, you know how strong I am. Do you really think you can beat me with that weak card?"

"He's calling Granel a 'weak card'", Leo commented.

"What Monster is he going to summon?" Aki wondered.

"My turn. I draw", Z-one called as he drew his sixth card. "I activate the Continuous Spell; Synchronized Realm. Each time I Synchro summon a Synchro Monster, it will inflict 500 points of damage to you, Aporia."

"Z-one is using a Synchro Deck?" Crow said in surprise.

"But Synchro Monsters are useless against the Meklord Emperors", Sherry pointed out.

"Unless he has a strategy on how to deal with the Emperors", Jack added.

"Jack's right", I nodded. "If Z-one can Synchro summon eight times, he can defeat Z-one without having to battle him."

"I summon Junk Breaker in attack mode."

Junk Breaker, Level 4: ATK 1800

"A Junk Monster…?" I mumbled quietly, not expecting Z-one to use them. I didn't have that Monster, so it must've been one that got created in the future.

"Since I control a Junk Monster, I can Special summon Junk Servant from my hand in attack mode."

Junk Servant, Level 4: ATK 1500

"Isn't that Yusei's card?" Aki asked.

"It is…", I nodded, surprised to see a Junk Monster I had in my Deck.

"Junk Breaker's effect. I Tribute it to negate every face-up Monster's effects that are currently on the field until the end of this turn."

Junk Breaker threw its spiky metal club up in the air before it dissipated into particles. The club exploded as soon as it was hovering in the middle of the field, sending shrapnel across the field. Some metal shards pierced themselves onto Meklord Emperor Granel just as with Junk Servant, which cancelled their effects.

"That was a clever move", Sherry commented. "Z-one can now attack any parts of Meklord Emperor Granel without being affected by Granel Guard."

"I activate the Spell card; One for One. I send Tuningware from my hand to the Graveyard to Special summon one Level 1 Monster from my Deck. I Special summon Jet Synchron in attack mode."

Jet Synchron, Level 1, Tuner: ATK 500

"That's a Synchron Monster I've never seen before!" Leo gasped.

"It must be another card that was created in the future", Luna concluded.

"I tune Level 1 Jet Synchron with Level 4 Junk Servant. Clustering engines purr to life to bring the winds of hope for the future! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro summon! Roar, Jet Warrior!"

An entirely new Synchro Monster appeared on the field after the summoning. It looked like a black jet plane that had transformed into its humanoid form with arms and legs.

Jet Warrior, Level 5: ATK 2100

"Jet…Warrior?" Crow mumbled.

"Another card from the future…", Aki said quietly.

"Is Z-one's Deck based on Yusei's?" Luna questioned.

"It does have elements similar to Yusei's cards", Sherry nodded.

My friends were right. I felt a connection to Z-one's cards that was similar to the connection to my own Deck. I instinctively placed a hand on one of the pouches strapped on my belt where I kept my Ground and Turbo Decks.

"Jet Synchron's effect. When it is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material, I may add one Junk Monster from my Deck to the hand. I choose Junk Synchron."

"Ah! That's Yusei's card too!" Leo exclaimed in disbelief while he pointed at the card Z-one revealed before he added it to the hand.

"Jet Warrior's effect. When it is Synchro summoned, I may target one card my opponent controls and return it to the hand. I target Meklord Emperor Granel."

Jet Warrior activated the turbofan engines on its wings and created powerful wind currents that enveloped the Meklord Emperor. The machine Monster tried to keep its balance while levitating in the air, but it soon split into its five parts. The main card of Meklord Emperor Granel transformed into orange energy and flew back to Aporia's hand.

"Since Meklord Emperor Granel is no longer on the field, the rest of its parts are destroyed."

The four remaining parts exploded into smoke and pieces. Aporia shielded his face from the debris with his left hand. His body sparkled when some of the remnants of his machine Monsters struck him.

"And last, Synchronized Realm inflicts you 500 points of damage."

The Continuous Spell card sparkled in green lightning before it fired a lightning bolt at Aporia. He screamed in pain as he got electrocuted. It must have hurt a lot because of the damage his body had already sustained from Jack and the twins' Duel.

Aporia: 4000 LP – 3500 LP

Z-one: 3900 LP

"Aporia!" Leo yelled worriedly.

"Z-one removed Meklord Emperor Granel from the field with the effect of a Synchro Monster…", Crow mumbled in surprise.

"And since Grand Core and the other parts are in the Graveyard, he won't be able to summon Granel again", I added.

"Battle", Z-one called. "Jet Warrior, attack Aporia directly."

The noise of Jet Warrior's engines increased as it flew toward Aporia. By the first glance, it looked like it was going to punch him. Instead, the turbofans glowed to collect energy while it was flying in the middle of the air. Two large yellow energy spheres grew in front of the turbofans before Jet Warrior fired a dual laser beam. The beams combined into one mid-air before it struck Aporia. He screamed in pain as the beam pushed him back and down to the ground, inflicting a massive amount of damage.

Aporia: 3500 LP – 1400 LP

Z-one: 3900 LP

"Aporia!" Leo yelled as he ran toward the android.

Aporia quickly recovered from the attack and got up on his feet before signaling to Leo to not approach him. "I'm fine", he called with a raspy voice as he turned to the boy. "This amount of damage won't stop me from fighting. You gave me hope!"

"Hope…", Z-one commented nonchalantly as Aporia staggered back to his position to continue the Duel. "I set one card and end my turn."

"My turn!" Aporia shouted as he began his turn. "I activate the Spell card; Reboot! I shuffle my Meklord Emperor Granel from my hand to the Deck and target one Meklord Monster in the Graveyard and add it to the hand. I choose Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato!"

"What is he up to…?" I wondered.

"Fortissimo the Mobile Fortress's effect!" Aporia called. "I Special summon Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato in attack mode!"

Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato, Level 4: ATK 1200

"I set one card and then activate Aurora Draw to draw two cards from my Deck! I can only activate this Spell card if I control a face-up Meklord Monster and I have no other cards in my hand."

"Smart move", Jack commented. "He set his last Spell or Trap card so he could draw two new cards."

"But did he get any good cards?" Luna wondered.

"I summon Wise Core!" Aporia yelled.

Wise Core, Level 1: ATK 0

"That's the answer to your question", Sherry told the female twin.

"I activate the set Spell card; Chaos Blast!" Aporia continued. "I send three Level 3 or lower machine-type Monsters from the Deck to the Graveyard to then target my Level 1 Wise Core on the field and destroy it! I send Level 1 Meklord Emperor Granel, Level 1 Meklord Nucleus Infinity Core, and Level 1 Meklord Emperor Wisel – Synchro Absorption from my Deck!"

Wise Core floated above him, so after he sent the three chosen Monster cards to the Graveyard, he raised his left arm up and pointed his finger at the egg-like machine Monster. His fingertip sparkled before it fired a lightning bolt at Wise Core. The mechanical egg was destroyed into millions of pieces.

"When an effect destroys Wise Core, from my Deck, hand or Graveyard, I can Special summon Level 1 Meklord Emperor Wisel, Wisel Top, Wisel Attack, Wise Guard, and Wisel Carrier!"

Meklord Emperor Wisel, Level 1: ATK 0

Wisel Top, Level 1: ATK 500

Wisel Attack, Level 1: ATK 1200

Wisel Guard, Level 1: DEF 1200

Wisel Carrier, Level 1: ATK 800

"Combine, Meklord Emperor Wisel!"

Just like with Meklord Emperor Granel, the five Wisel parts shapeshifted to become parts of the next Meklord Emperor Monster, the first one I encountered months ago during the first Ghost incident.

Meklord Emperor Wisel, Level 1: ATK 0 – ATK 2500

"It's Meklord Emperor Wisel this time!" Crow called out.

"Meklord Emperor Wisel's effect!" Aporia yelled. "Once per turn, I can select and equip one face-up Synchro Monster my opponent controls to this card, and it gains attack points equal to the equipped Monster. I select Jet Warrior!"

The chest on Meklord Emperor shone brightly before it opened the compartment and fired several energy ropes at Jet Warrior. The ropes caught the Synchro Monster and pulled it toward the Meklord Emperor. Jet Warrior's engines roared as it struggled to get out of the machine Monster's grasp, but it didn't work. It transformed into energy and got absorbed by Meklord Emperor Wisel. The machine Monster emitted a noise as its attack points increased after it had trapped the Synchro Monster inside of it. The blade strapped onto the Meklord Emperor's left arm got enveloped by a light yellow aura, which had been created by Jet Warrior's power.

Meklord Emperor Wisel, Level 1: ATK 2500 – ATK 4600

"That's over 4000 attack points!" Leo exclaimed.

"More than enough to defeat Z-one", Aki added.

"So Aporia might win this and none of us has to battle!" Crow said hopefully.

"Battle! Meklord Emperor Wisel, attack Z-one directly!" Aporia commanded.

The Meklord Emperor hummed like a machine as it flew towards Z-one with its left arm aimed at the last living human from the future.

"He can do it!" Leo called in joy.

"No…", I shook my head. If Z-one played with a Deck similar to mine, then he had already prepared something to counteract the incoming attack.

"I activate my Trap; Defense Draw", Z-one called. "During my opponent's turn, at damage calculation, the battle damage I take from this battle becomes zero and I can draw one card."

A white transparent shield appeared in front of Z-one just before Meklord Emperor Wisel could hit him. Its blade collided with the shield and caused sparkles to fly around them. When the Meklord Emperor realized it couldn't penetrate the shield, it returned to Aporia's field.

"Damn, that was close!" Crow muttered.

"Z-one managed to survive this turn, but he's got no other Monsters on his field", Sherry said.

"We know he has Junk Synchron in his hand, so he might summon it to Special summon Tuningware and use it to Synchro summon another Synchro Monster", Aki speculated.

"That would only be for a Level 4 Synchro Monster", I pointed out. "And there aren't many Level 4 Synchro Monsters as far as I know."

"But what if there is one from the future?" Leo asked.

"I set one card and end my turn", Aporia called.

"My turn. Draw", Z-one said. "I activate the Quick-Play Spell; Synchro Control. I can only activate it if I have no Synchro Monsters on my field or in the Graveyard. I pay 1000 Life Points to select one face-up Synchro Monster my opponent controls and take control of it until the End Phase of my turn. I select Jet Warrior. Return, my partner."

Aporia: 1400 LP

Z-one: 3900 LP – 2900 LP

The compartment on Meklord Emperor Wisel's chest opened up and set Jet Warrior free. The energy enveloping the machine Monster's blade faded away as its attack points returned to normal.

Meklord Emperor Wisel, Level 1: ATK 4600 – ATK 2500

"He managed to rescue his Synchro Monster from the Meklord Emperor!" Crow gasped in surprise.

"Without even having to target Meklord Emperor Wisel…", Luna mumbled.

"Z-one is an extraordinary Duelist…", Aki cold sweated.

"No wonder he's the leader of Iliaster", Jack commented.

"I summon Junk Synchron in attack mode."

Junk Synchron, Level 3, Tuner: ATK 1300

"Junk Synchron's effect. When it is Normal summoned, I may Special summon a Level 2 or lower Monster from my Graveyard in defense mode and with its effects negated. Return, Jet Synchron."

Jet Synchron, Level 1, Tuner: DEF 0

"He's got two Tuners on his field now", Luna commented.

"I believe he's planning to Synchro summon multiple times this turn", Sherry guessed.

"I tune Level 3 Junk Synchron with Level 5 Jet Warrior. Clustering fighting souls will awaken the raging wicked God! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro summon! Obliterate, Junk Destroyer!"

Junk Destroyer, Level 8: ATK 2600

"That's another card you have, Yusei!" Leo gasped.

"Yes…", I nodded while cold sweating.

"Junk Destroyer's effect. When this card is Synchro summoned, I may target and destroy cards on the field, up to the number of non-Tuner Monsters used for the Synchro summoning. I target the facedown card in front of you, Aporia. Tidal Energy."

Junk Destroyer grunted as it raised one of its left hands and flew toward the chosen facedown card. The hand clenched into a fist as it got ready to destroy the card.

"I activate that Trap card; High Rate Draw!" Aporia yelled as he activated the card before it could leave the field. "I can destroy two or more Monsters I control and draw one card for every two Monsters destroyed. I destroy every five parts of Meklord Emperor Wisel so I can draw two cards!"

"He's destroying his own Monster?!" Jack yelled in surprise.

"Why's he doing that?!" Crow shouted.

The five parts of Meklord Emperor Wisel split up and left the field just as Junk Destroyer destroyed Aporia's Trap card. He grunted softly as the shockwave from the Synchro Monster's punch pushed him back a little bit.

"Synchronized Realm activates", Z-one called out.

The Continuous Spell card sparkled for the second time of this Duel and fired a green lightning bolt. This time Aporia was prepared and only grunted loudly as he got electrocuted.

Aporia: 1400 LP – 900 LP

Z-one: 2900 LP

"I now tune Level 1 Jet Synchron with Level 8 Junk Destroyer. Do you hear the howl in the air? That's the cry of the Silver Star alpha wolf traveling with the northern winds! Synchro summon! Come, Stellar Wind Wolfrayet!"

Stellar Wind Wolfrayet, Level 9: ATK 2500

"That's one of Estelle's Synchro Monsters!" Luna gasped in surprise.

"This is bad…", I commented while cold sweating. "Z-one seems to have at least one Synchro Monster of every Level possible in his Deck."

"Jet Synchron's effect. When it is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material, I may add one Junk Monster from my Deck to the hand. I choose Junk Forward. And Stellar Wind Wolfrayet's effect activates. Whenever another Monster's effect is activated and revolved while the attack points of this card is less than 4000, it gains 300 attack points."

Stellar Wind Wolfrayet howled as its metal body was enveloped in a light green aura which blew around it like the wind. The metal fur reflected the light and made it look like the edges of sharper after its boost of attack points.

Stellar Wind Wolfrayet, Level 9: ATK 2500 – ATK 2800

"And Synchronized Realm activates."

The third lightning bolt was released from the card and struck Aporia. Despite being prepared to take the effect damage, Aporia cried out in pain as his Life Points were lowered to less than 500. He collapsed on his knees before falling down onto his stomach.

Aporia: 900 LP – 400 LP

Z-one: 2900 LP

"Aporia!" Leo shouted worriedly.

"Not good…", I commented quietly. "If Z-one Synchro summons one more time, Aporia will lose."

"Let's stop", Z-one suggested, suddenly displaying a sense of mercy. "There is no hope for the future. There is only despair. Aporia, you know that best. If we continue, it will only deepen your despair. You cannot defeat me."

Aporia weakly but pushed himself up onto his feet again. "I'm not done…", he spoke in a weak voice. "The battle is only beginning."

"You are mistaken, Aporia. This is the end of the battle. Stellar Wind Wolfrayet, attack Aporia directly."

The wolf Monster barred its teeth aggressively before it ran towards Aporia. Oil dropped down from its mouth as if it was hungry and ready to maul Aporia.

"I activate my Trap; Meklord Astro the Eradicator!" Aporia yelled. "I can target three Meklord Monsters with different names in my Graveyard and either add them to my hand or Special summon them, ignoring their summoning conditions. I Special summon Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato, Meklord Army of Skiel, and Meklord Army of Granel in defense mode!"

Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato, Level 4: DEF 1800

Meklord Army of Skiel, Level 4: DEF 100

Meklord Army of Granel, Level 4: DEF 1200

"Until the end of my next turn after Meklord Astro the Eradicator is activated, I cannot Special summon Monsters, except machine Monsters", Aporia added.

"You still want to fight? Then it can't be helped. Stellar Wind Wolfrayet, attack Meklord Army of Granel", Z-one commanded.

The wolf Synchro Monster changed it course and ran toward the chose Meklord Army. It leaped up in the air before descending onto Meklord Army of Granel. Stellar Wind Wolfrayet dug its teeth into the machine's arm and ripped it off with sparkles and fluids thrown around them. The Meklord Army shattered into pieces along with the arm in the wolf's mouth. The Synchro Monster ran back to Z-one and returned to its original position.

"Aporia managed to defend himself", Leo sighed loudly in relief.

"For now…", Luna mumbled worriedly.

"I set one card and end my turn", Z-one called. "I shall soon show you true despair, Aporia."

"But I won't lose!" Aporia retorted determinedly. "As long as I still have hope!"

"Aporia…", I mumbled.

"My turn!" Aporia yelled as he began his turn. "I activate the Spell; Iron Draw! When I control exactly two machine Effect Monsters and no other Monsters, I can draw two cards. However, for the rest of this turn, I can only Special summon once. Next, I activate Future Destruction! For every card in my hand, I send a card in my Deck to the Graveyard. I have three cards, so I send three cards to the Graveyard!"

"Wait, how many cards does Aporia have left?" Crow asked.

"Less than ten", Sherry replied. "I've been counting the cards he's been drawing since the beginning."

"Is he purposefully milling his Deck?" Aki wondered.

"Could it be another hidden strategy?" Luna asked.

"That's possible", Jack nodded.

"I activate the Continuous Spell; Meklord Assembly!" Aporia continued. "When this card is activated, I may add one Meklord Monster from my Deck to my hand. I choose Meklord Army of Wisel. Now I summon Sky Core!"

Sky Core, Level 1: ATK 0

"I activate Meklord Assembly's effect! I can use each of the two other effects this card has once per turn! I discard one card from my hand and target one Monster I control and destroy it! I discard Meklord Army of Wisel and destroy Sky Core!"

The transparent figure of Meklord Army of Wisel appeared on the field behind Sky Core. It punched the blue egg from behind and caused to shatter into pieces. Some of its remnants flew over to Meklord Army of Skiel and Meklord Army Deployer Obbligato and forced them to leave the field.

"When an effect destroys Sky Core, from my Deck, hand or Graveyard, I can Special summon Level 1 Meklord Emperor Skiel, Skiel Top, Skiel Attack, Skiel Guard, and Skiel Carrier!"

Meklord Emperor Skiel, Level 1: ATK 0

Skiel Top, Level 1: ATK 600

Skiel Attack, Level 1: ATK 1000

Skiel Guard, Level 1: DEF 300

Skiel Carrier, Level 1: ATK 400

"Wait, that's four Special summonses! Why didn't Iron Draw negate this?" Leo asked.

"It must be this entire summon counts as one because Meklord Emperors needs all its five parts to form its true shape", I explained.

"Combine, Meklord Emperor Skiel!" Aporia shouted.

The third and final Meklord Emperor came to life as its five parts combined into one and revealed the futuristic bird Monster.

Meklord Emperor Skiel, Level 1: ATK 0 – ATK 2200

"He has successfully summoned Meklord Emperors for three consecutive turns", Aki pointed out.

"It's impressive how masterfully he controls the Meklord Emperors", Jack commented.

"If he uses Meklord Emperor Skiel's effect and manages to attack Z-one, he could win", I added. "However, Z-one has been able to counteract each attack so far."

"You still don't understand that summoning Meklord Emperor only deepens your despair", Z-one told Aporia.

"I won't despair because Team 5D's gave me hope", Aporia replied determinedly.

"Hope is a mere illusion, created to fool us", Z-one called. "Stellar Wind Wolfrayet's effect. Since Sky Core's effect was activated, it gains an additional 300 attack points."

Stellar Wind Wolfrayet, Level 9: ATK 2800 – ATK 3100

"Meklord Emperor Skiel's effect!" Aporia shouted. "Once per turn, I can select and equip one face-up Synchro Monster my opponent controls to Meklord Emperor Skiel. I choose Stellar Wind Wolfrayet!"

The chest compartment on the Meklord Emperor opened and fired energy rope at the wolf Monster. It howled as it struggled to get free, but it only got absorbed into Meklord Emperor Skiel. Its laser gun was soon enveloped by a light green aura that was shaped into a wolf's head.

Meklord Emperor Skiel, Level 1: ATK 2200 – ATK 5300

"However, even now as an Equip card, Stellar Wind Wolfrayet's effect activates, so its attack points are increased by 300, just like with Meklord Emperor Skiel!" Aporia added.

Stellar Wind Wolfrayet, Level 9: ATK 3100 – ATK 3400

Meklord Emperor Skiel, Level 1: ATK 5300 – ATK 5600

"That's even more than what Meklord Emperor Wisel had before!" Crow called.

"This is a very dangerous combination with a Meklord Emperor and a Synchro Monster whose attack points increases for every activated Monster effect", Sherry said. "If Z-one knew about this the whole time, why did he summon Stellar Wind Wolfrayet?"

She had a good point. Why did Z-one Synchro summon Stellar Wind Wolfrayet? He must have had another Level 9 Synchro Monster in his Extra Deck. Unless he had a sentimental attachment to it.

"Battle! Meklord Emperor Skiel, attack Z-one directly!" Aporia yelled.

The Meklord Emperor aimed its laser gun at Z-one before firing a light green beam. The front of the laser beam was shaped as the head of a wolf that growled at its prey.

"This time, Aporia will beat Z-one!" Leo called seriously.

"I activate my Trap; Spirit Force", Z-one called.

"Another damage negation card?!" Luna exclaimed in surprise.

"At damage calculation, during my opponent's turn, the battle damage I take from this battle becomes zero and I can add one warrior-type Tuner Monster with 1500 or less DEF from my Graveyard to the hand. I choose Junk Synchron."

A yellow aura enveloped Z-one before the laser beam hit him. The light of the beam split up into multiple tiny beams and shot around on the field. Luckily, none of the beams hit us so we were safe.

"Z-one is an extremely persistent guy!" Crow muttered irritably.

"Could this be it for Aporia?" Aki asked. "Z-one's got Junk Synchron back to his hand, so he will definitely Synchro summon next turn."

"Watch, Yusei", Aporia called. "This is the hope you gave me." He turned to Z-one and pointed at him. "Z-one, I'll show you a miracle! As long as there's hope, I can change the future! I activate the Spell; Afterglow!"

"Afterglow?" Z-one repeated in surprise.

"I banish this card and as many Afterglow from my hand, Deck, Graveyard and face-up field as possible and then shuffle one of them into my Deck", Aporia explained as he drew another Afterglow from his Deck, but banished it and shuffled the card he had activated back to the Deck. "If I draw Afterglow next turn, you take 4000 points of damage."

"That must be why he milled his Deck from the very beginning with the help of his Meklord Emperors!" Leo figured out Aporia's plan.

"But right now, he's got two cards in his Deck", Jack reminded him. "So the chances of him to draw Afterglow are 50/50."

"However, if he manages to draw it, its effect will immediately drop Z-one's Life Points to zero", Aki said.

"And Aporia wins!" Leo cheered.

"That's why he destroyed his Deck", I nodded.

"But remember that Z-one has Synchronized Realm on the field", Sherry said. "If Z-one summons Junk Synchron and Tuningware and Synchro summons a Level 4 Monster, Aporia will lose."

"This is a big gamble now…", Luna mumbled worriedly.

"I end my turn", Aporia called.

"I see. This is the strategy you're using against me", Z-one said.

"Z-one, I want you to remember", Aporia told him. "Since Fudo Yusei and Team 5D's fully evolved, shouldn't we trust them? They are a miraculous team!"

"And the Spell card, Afterglow, represents the hope that Team 5D's gave you? That means there truly is no hope for this world. However… If you believe in them that much, then I shall humor you. I too am curious whether you will draw Afterglow or not."

"Z-one is giving Aporia one more turn?" Luna asked in disbelief.

"He's risking a lot with this now", Jack said. "He knows the Ark Cradle will stop descending if he loses and his plan to destroy the city will be ruined."

"My turn", Z-one said as he drew his next card. "Since I control no Monsters, I can Special summon Junk Forward from my hand."

Junk Forward, Level 3: ATK 900

"I summon Junk Synchron in defense mode."

Junk Synchron, Level 3, Tuner: DEF 500

"Junk Synchron's effect. I Special summon Tuningware from the Graveyard in defense mode and its effects are negated."

Tuningware, Level 1: DEF 300

"Stellar Wind Wolfrayet's effect!" Aporia shouted. "Its attack points are increased, which means Meklord Emperor Skiel gains that same boost!"

Stellar Wind Wolfrayet, Level 9: ATK 3400 – ATK 3700

Meklord Emperor Skiel, Level 1: ATK 5600 – ATK 5900

"I set one card and end my turn. You only have two cards left in your Deck, and one of them is Afterglow. If you draw it on your next turn, I will take 4000 points of damage and lose. But if you draw another card, the effect will not be activated. Now see for yourself if hope truly exists."

"But if Aporia doesn't draw Afterglow, Meklord Emperor Skiel can still attack Junk Forward and reduce Z-one Life Points to zero!" Leo called. "Aporia will win this no matter what!"

"Let's not forget Z-one facedown card he just set", Sherry pointed out. "That card could determine the outcome of Aporia's Draw Phase no matter what card he draws."

"Everything in life has a small probability of success", Z-one spoke. "That's why humans bet on that probability. I used to be like that. However, reality is cruel."

"That's not true!" Aporia shouted. "As long as there's hope, miracles will always occur. And I will grab that hope with my own hands. That's what I learned from Team 5D's!"

Everything and everyone turned silent as we watched how Aporia reached for his deck to draw the top card. This could be the very last card being played of the Duel. I hoped Aporia would draw Afterglow and not only defeat Z-one, but also open up his heart so we could learn more about him. Why did he have to take such extreme measurements to try destroying our present? There has to be an alternative that he didn't manage to come up with. If we could put our heads together, we could find a solution so the world won't get destroyed in the future!

"My turn!" Aporia yelled as he drew the card.

We remained silent as he checked the card. He said nothing as he closed his eyes and held up the cards for us to see what it was.

"Meklord Astro Dragon Triskelion", Z-one read the name of the Monster card. "That is not Afterglow, meaning I will not be taking any effect damage."

"He didn't draw it!" Crow gasped.

"That means the very last card in Aporia's Deck is Afterglow", Aki said.

"A miracle didn't occur. This is reality", Z-one snorted. "Just like the time I Dueled the Priestess who carries the power of miracles. She didn't evolve as much as I expected from her."

"Why are you suddenly talking about Estelle?!" I shouted as I suddenly felt a little irritated that he spoke so nonchalantly about her.

"I may not have created a miracle, but I will end the Duel now!" Aporia yelled determinedly. "Meklord Emperor Skiel, attack Junk Forward!"

The Meklord Emperor aimed its gun at Junk Forward and fired a new beam. We watched as it approached Z-one's Monster, assuming this was now the end of the Duel.

"I activate my Trap; Urgent Tuning", Z-one said.

"Oh no!" Luna gasped in horror.

"That's why he was so calm the entire time!" Sherry shouted.

"During the Battle Phase, I can Synchro summon one Synchro Monster with Monsters I control."

Junk Forward jumped up in the air before she could get struck by Meklord Emperor Skiel's laser attack. The laser beam hit the platform where she stood before and obliterated it.

"I tune Level 3 Junk Synchron with Level 3 Junk Forward and Level 1 Tuningware. Clustering anger brings with it a warrior from a fierce god. Become the path that lights the way! Synchro summon! Howl, Junk Berserker!"

Junk Berserker, Level 7: ATK 2700

"He Synchro summoned!" Leo shrieked.

"Tuningware's effect. Since it was sent to the Graveyard for a Synchro summon, I can draw one card."

Aporia gritted his teeth in frustration as he realized he was no longer going to win the Duel. "Stellar Wind Wolfrayet's effect…", he called quietly.

Stellar Wind Wolfrayet, Level 9: ATK 3700 – ATK 4000

Meklord Emperor Skiel, Level 1: ATK 5900 – ATK 6200

"Aporia, you sufficiently fulfilled your role. Thanks to you, the Ark Cradle appeared in this world. Your role is over. Rest in peace. Synchronized Realm activates."

Said Spell card crackled by electricity before firing a final lightning bolt. Aporia's scream was heart-breaking as he got electrocuted. The only thing we could do was watch as Aporia collapsed on his back and the field returned to normal now that the Duel was over.

Aporia: 400 LP – 0 LP

Z-one: 2900 LP

We were back to the large area with scrapheaps. Leo was the first one to run to Aporia to check on him. I quickly followed him as the others ran after us. Leo kneeled down next to Aporia and tried shaking his large body to wake him up. He pulled back once when a sparkle touched him, but he still put his hands back onto Aporia's arm.

"Aporia!" Leo cried.

"Aporia!" I called as I went down on a knee next to the boy.

Aporia's eyes blinked awake and turned to us with a weak glance. "I'm sorry. I wasn't able to defeat Z-one", he apologized. "You gave me hope, but I couldn't live up to it…"

"That's not true!" I retorted. "You lived up to it! And you gave us hope!"

Aporia looked stunned when I told him that. "Gave you hope…?" he mumbled.

"Yeah!" I nodded. "None of us knew what kind of Deck Z-one has, but now we know it's similar to mine, so I know how to counteract with it! That's the hope you gave us!"

"The hope I gave you…", Aporia spoke weakly.

"Yeah! And as long as there's that hope, we can fight!" I called determinedly.

"Yeah!" Leo nodded in agreement.

Aporia shifted his eyes at the ceiling as they glowed by tears. "I see… There's now hope for the future…", he mumbled before he caught us off guard when he grabbed his golden bar and threw it over our heads.

I looked over my shoulder and watched where the bar was flying. It flew straight to my Duel Runner. For a second, I thought he was going to destroy it, but the bar didn't harm the Runner at all. Instead, it transformed into energy that went inside the Runner. A pair of red energy wings appeared on the sides of it before it returned to normal.

"Yusei's Duel Runner has wings!" Leo exclaimed in surprise.

"What happened?" Aki asked cautiously.

The drop of Aporia's arm pulled my attention back at him. His eyes were now closed and his body was lifeless. No matter how much Leo shook his body and called his name, he never once woke up or said a word. His body had powered down after his long struggle against Z-one after he realized the reason why his former human-self kept going despite the apocalyptic future. It was never despair that pushed him forward; it was hope. Hope to restore the mankind. Hope for a better future. Hope to correct the errors in the past and change the future.

Everyone in Iliaster had hope for Z-one when they joined forces with him to change the world for the better, and now they had paid the ultimate price with their lives for the second time…

Antinomy and Aporia's spirits were counting on us to open Z-one's heart and change the future and I was not going to betray their trust.

It was now my turn to fight for the future of New Domino City and the rest of the world.