This was originally meant to be the prologue of a special mini arc of Nazca featuring the return of Orichalcos, but I decided to skip it and maybe write it in the future for the sequel instead. I'm sorry, StarFiction56.
Estelle has an updated Ground Blue-Eyes Deck that is similar to the one she used in Chapter 63: Blue-Eyes VS. Blue-Eyes. You can find the new Deck on my DeviantArt account.
The chapter begins in Estelle's point of view.
Disclaimer: I do not own any Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's characters! I only own my OCs!
Chapter 92: The Unknown Test
I was actually a little bored after the invasion had forced the World Racing Grand Prix to get postponed. My body needed to heal, so I couldn't do any physical activities like swordsmanship and martial arts training. I was desperate to become stronger so I wouldn't lose again. The battle with Primo had taught me a lot, especially to be extra alert if the opponent's movement suddenly changes or if there is a dirty move incoming.
My friends came visiting me every now and then, since I couldn't drive my Duel Runner in my current condition. They stayed over for some time before they had to leave. Bruno often went to the Satellite Trio's place to check their Runners and spent time outdoors, so he was active as always. From what I heard from him, the others were also a little bored and didn't have much to do. If the schedule of the rebuilding went according to plan, the competition would resume at some point after Yusei's birthday in July.
Speaking of, Yusei came over a few days ago and told me he got a weird e-mail from Greiger. The former Dark Signer wrote he had a dream about Jack perishing by his own power and he feared it might become a reality, unless Jack found a new way to fight. Greiger asked that Jack came visiting him as quickly as possible, but he didn't write any other details. Therefore, Yusei wondered if I knew anything about it. I told him this incident wasn't related to Iliaster, but it had a connection to the strongest Earthbound Immortal, Red Nova, and it was necessary for Jack to go because this event would unlock a dormant power within him. I paid the flight tickets for Yusei and Jack from my own pocket since I knew the Satellite Trio didn't have enough money, even with all the savings and jobs they had. Yusei tried talking me out of it, but I refused to listen. I called it an "investment", since it was necessary for Jack's own "evolution" to unlock Blazing Soul. The only thing I asked in return was to get an e-mail about the incident and inform me about any suspicious details before they left Nazca.
So, right now, as I sat in the living room in Goodwin's mansion reading a book in the middle of the day, Jack and Yusei were on their way to Nazca. I was about half-way through my book when Ish suggested something that made me raise an eyebrow.
"You want to have a Duel with me?" I repeated as I looked up from the book.
"Yes", Ish nodded while holding a yellow standard Duel Disk with white gemstones. "I thought you might want to do something else than sit around all day and read and write and such. Of course, that is if you feel like you have the energy for it."
It had been a week since I came home from the hospital, so my head was still wrapped in bandage, but the doctor never implied I shouldn't Duel. Maybe a Duel wouldn't hurt my head.
"Okay, we can do that", I nodded before I placed the bookmark in the book and closed it. "I would love to challenge you, Ish. I didn't know you have a Deck."
Ish giggled softly. "I don't Duel much and it's been a while since last time and I can tell you're a little bored, so it would be perfect to test both our skills."
"Sure", I nodded. "Do you want me to go easy on you?"
"No. Just play like you always do with your Blue-Eyes."
I returned to my bedroom and grabbed my Duel Disk and Deck before the two of us walked outside to one of the Duel fields. A couple of maids and butlers walked out to keep an eye on us, but I also had a feeling they wanted to watch the Duel.
"I'll let you go first, Ish", I told her as I activated my Duel Disk.
"Thank you, Estelle", Ish replied as her Duel Disk switched on.
"Duel!"
Ish: 4000 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
I drew the top five cards of my Deck and got Dragon Shrine, Polymerization, Sage with Eyes of Blue, the White Stone of Legend, and Return of the Dragon Lords. Not the best hand, but I could work with it.
"I draw!" Ish called, drawing her sixth card. "I activate Zeradias, Herald of Heaven's effect in my hand! I discard him to add one Sanctuary in the Sky from my Deck to the hand."
Oh…? Ish was using a fairy Deck? I had challenged a few of those before in my old world and those had been a piece of hard work, especially with that nuisance of a Field Spell.
"Before I continue, I activate the Continuous Spell; Spell Absorption. As long as it's on the field, I'll gain 500 Life Points every time a Spell card is activated. Now, I activate the Field Spell; the Sanctuary in the Sky and gain my first 500 Life Points."
The Solid Vision set up a holographic image that made me jump in shock for a second. It was like we were standing on top of the clouds while an ancient Greek-like temple floated behind Ish. As soon as the Field Spell was set up, the Spell Absorption card released a bright green aura that briefly engulfed Ish, increasing her Life Points.
Ish: 4000 LP – 4500 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
"Next, I play another Spell card; Pre-Preparation of Rites. I can add one Ritual Spell card and one Ritual Monster from my Deck to hand. I choose Hymn of Light and Saffira, Queen of Dragons. And I gain an additional 500 Life Points."
Ish: 4500 LP – 5000 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
Fairy and Ritual Monsters? But, wait… That Ritual Monster Ish just added to her hand was a dragon Monster. Was she using a mixed Deck?
"Now, I summon the Agent of Creation – Venus in attack mode!"
The Agent of Creation – Venus, Level 3: ATK 1600
No! Not the Agents! I already got my back kicked by those Monsters before! Especially by the most powerful Agent!
"I activate Venus' effect thrice! I pay 1500 Life Points in total to Special summon three Mystical Shine Balls from my Deck in defense mode!"
Ish: 5000 LP – 3500 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
The three colored orbs hovering around Venus glowed as they levitated to the Monster Zone. The light calmed down before they revealed themselves as three Mystical Shine Balls.
Mystical Shine Ball, Level 2: DEF 500
Mystical Shine Ball, Level 2: DEF 500
Mystical Shine Ball, Level 2: DEF 500
"I now play the Ritual Spell; Hymn of Light! I must Tribute Monsters from my hand or field whose total Levels equal 6 or more, so I Tribute the Agent of Creation – Venus and two Mystical Shine Balls. Dragons, bow on your knees! The dragon clad in sapphire scales and golden wings shall descend from Heaven and bless us all! Ritual summon! Come, Saffira, Queen of Dragons!"
Saffira, Queen of Dragons, Level 6: ATK 2500
"And Spell Absorption activates!"
Ish: 3500 LP – 4000 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
"I place one card facedown and end my turn. But since Saffira was Ritual summoned this turn, I can activate one of her three effects during my End Phase. I choose to discard one random card from your hand, Estelle, and I choose the second card from left."
The second card from left… That was my Polymerization card. I held it up for Ish to see I was following her instructions before I sent the card to the Graveyard.
"My turn. Draw!" I yelled, drawing my sixth card.
I added the new card, which was my second White Stone of Legend, to my hand and took a quick look at the field. Ish had set it up properly with her Field Spell that made me unable to inflict damage to her if I attacked her fairy Monsters, and she had Spell Absorption that allowed her to heal her Life Points whenever any of us used Spell cards.
I had heard about Saffira, Queen of Dragons, but I couldn't remember all of her effects, so I had to improvise and see if any of my actions triggered her.
"I summon the White Stone of Legend in defense mode!"
The White Stone of Legend, Level 1, Tuner: DEF 250
"I activate Sage with Eyes of Blue's effect in my hand! I discard it while targeting my Effect Monster, White Stone, and send it to the Graveyard to Special summon one Blue-Eyes Monster from my Deck. I Special summon Dragon Spirit of White in attack mode!"
Dragon Spirit of White, Level 8: ATK 2500
"Dragon Spirit of White's effect activates when it's summoned! I can target one Spell or Trap card on my opponent's field and banish it. I choose your Sanctuary in the Sky, Ish!"
"I activate my Trap; Divine Punishment!" Ish interrupted. "When a Spell or Trap card or Monster effect is activated while the Sanctuary in the Sky is on the field; I can negate the activation and destroy the card! Your dragon won't touch my holy field!"
Red lightning erupted from the magic sphere hovering above the temple and struck Dragon Spirit of White. My dragon screeched as it was electrocuted before it exploded into pieces.
I grunted through my gritted teeth at the destruction of my dragon. "The White Stone of Legend's effect! Since it was sent to the Graveyard, I can add one Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Deck to the hand. I continue my turn by playing Dragon Shrine to send one dragon Monster from my Deck to the Graveyard! I choose my second Dragon Spirit of White and, since it's treated as a Normal Monster while in Graveyard, I can send another dragon from my Deck to the Graveyard, so I choose one of my White Stone of Ancients."
"And because you played a Spell card, I gain 500 Life Points", Ish added.
Ish: 4000 LP – 4500 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
"I end my turn, but the White Stone of Ancients' effect activates on the turn it was sent to the Graveyard. I can Special summon one Blue-Eyes Monster from my Deck, so I summon my second Blue-Eyes White Dragon in attack mode!"
Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Level 8: ATK 3000
"Saffira's effect activates since a LIGHT Monster was sent from the hand or Deck to the Graveyard this turn while she was face-up on the field! I choose to draw two cards from my Deck and discard one from my hand to the Graveyard."
Oh?! So if I sent my LIGHT Monsters from hand or Deck to the Graveyard, I would just give Ish an advantage to activate Saffira's effect. I had to get rid of her as soon as I could.
"Okay, I send Forbidden Lance from my hand to the Graveyard", Ish told me. "I begin my turn now. Draw! I activate the Continuous Spell; the Fountain in the Sky!"
A fountain with crystal clear and sparkling water appeared onto the Sanctuary in the Sky in front of the open entrance to the structure.
"When a LIGHT Monster is destroyed by battle and sent to my Graveyard, I can remove that Monster from play to gain Life Points equal to its attack points. Speaking of, Spell Absorption activates."
Ish: 4500 LP – 5000 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
"I release Mystical Shine Ball to Tribute summon Tethys, Goddess of Light in attack mode!"
Tethys, Goddess of Light, Level 5: ATK 2400
"I switch Saffira to defense mode and end my turn."
Saffira, Queen of Dragons, Level 6: ATK 2500 – DEF 2400
"My turn. Draw!" I yelled, drawing Negate Attack.
I took a quick moment to think through my turn. I had my Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field, which was strong enough to destroy both of Ish's Monsters, but the question was which one was more urgent to get rid of? Maybe Saffira?
But if I destroyed any of her Monsters, she wouldn't take damage; in fact, she would just gain Life Points thanks to her two Continuous Spell cards.
However, if I could bring Dragon Spirit of White back, I could get rid of at least one of Ish's Spell cards.
"Battle!" I shouted. "Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack Saffira with White Lightning!"
Blue-Eyes White Dragon screeched as it gathered white energy in its mouth before firing its signature attack. The white beam engulfed Saffira before her body was dissolved in the middle of the light.
"The Fountain in the Sky!" Ish called. "I remove Saffira, Queen of Dragons from play to increase my Life Points equal to her attack points!"
The pool of the fountain suddenly fired a water beam from the middle and up to the sky where it split apart into several thin beams. The reflection on the water drops created a rainbow arch around Ish.
Ish: 5000 LP – 7500 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
"And Spell Absorption activates."
Ish: 7500 LP – 8000 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
"Main Phase 2! I summon my second White Stone of Legend in defense mode!"
The White Stone of Legend, Level 1, Tuner: DEF 250
"I tune Level 1 White Stone of Legend and Level 8 Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Silver scales clad the dragon. Protect its glory and roar like thunder! Synchro summon! Arise, Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon!"
Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon, Level 9: DEF 3000
"When Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon is Special summoned, neither player can target or destroy my current dragon Monsters with card effects until the end of the next turn. And the White Stone of Legend's effect allows me to add my third and final Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Deck to hand. I place one card facedown and end my turn."
Okay, I had Negate Attack facedown and ready in case Ish would try getting rid of Azure-Eyes in battle on her next turn.
"My turn. Draw!" Ish called. "Tethys' effect! I reveal the fairy Monster card I have just drawn, Soul of Purity and Light, to draw another card. It's another fairy Monster, the Agent of Entropy – Uranus, so I draw another card. Another fairy, Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands, so that means another card." She giggled when she drew a new card. "It's another fairy, the Agent of Force – Mars, so I draw one more card. This one is not a fairy Monster, so I can't draw more cards."
"Finally…", I sighed sarcastically in relief.
Ish laughed softly at my reaction. "Yeah, I wouldn't want to Deck Out because of Tethys' effect. Since the Sanctuary in the Sky is on the field, I can Special summon the Agent of Entropy – Uranus in attack mode!"
The Agent of Entropy – Uranus, Level 5, Tuner: ATK 2200
"I tune Level 5 Agent of Entropy – Uranus and Level 5 Tethys, Goddess of Light! Heaven! Fate! Principle of all phenomena! Ride the spinning wheel of Heaven and manifest here! Synchro summon! Ascension Sky Dragon!"
Ascension Sky Dragon, Level 10: ATK ?
I gasped in surprise at the sight of the dragon. That was one of the Duel Dragons from the manga spin-off, just like Beelze that the King of the Netherworld used in the Halloween Duel last year!
"When Ascension Sky Dragon is Synchro summoned, it gains 800 attack points for each card I currently have in my hand. I've got five cards, so that's 4000 attack points!"
Ascension Sky Dragon, Level 10: ATK ? – ATK 4000
Uh-oh… That didn't sound good.
"Now, I Normal summon Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands in attack mode!"
Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands, Level 4: ATK 1400
"Manju's effect! When it's Normal or Special summoned, I can add either a Ritual Spell or a Ritual Monster card from my Deck to hand. I choose the Ritual Monster, Sauravis, the Ancient and Ascended."
Another Ritual Monster? It was really a big surprise to me that Ish not only had Synchros but also Ritual Monsters in her Deck. It was nice to see Ritual Monsters again. After all, they used to be the dominant "Extra" Monsters back at the beginning of Duel Monsters.
"I play the Ritual Spell; Sprite's Blessing!" Ish continued. "I can Ritual summon any LIGHT Monsters, but I have to Tribute Monsters from my hand or field whose total Levels equals the Ritual Monster's exact Level! I Tribute Manju of the Thousand Hands from the field and the Agent of Force – Mars from my hand! The lizard blessed with the wings of a bird, evolve and protect your queen with your life! Ritual summon! Appear, Sauravis, the Ancient and Ascended!"
Sauravis, the Ancient and Ascended, Level 7: DEF 2800
"And because I used a Spell card, Spell Absorption activates."
Ish: 8000 LP – 8500 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
"Next, I banish two Mystical Shine Balls from the Graveyard to Special summon Soul of Purity and Light in attack mode!"
Soul of Purity and Light, Level 6: ATK 2000
"I've finished the preparations, so it's time to battle! Ascension Sky Dragon, attack Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon with Ultimate Ascending Wave!"
The Synchro dragon screeched as its serpent body released a bright white beam that fired beams toward Azure-Eyes who was shielding itself with its wings. It was ready to get destroyed, but I wasn't going to let that happen!
"I activate my Trap; Negate Attack!" I shouted. "It stops Ascension Sky Dragon's attack and the Battle Phase is over!"
The Trap card created a protective dome around my Synchro dragon before the light beams could hit it. Ascension Sky Dragon's attack got canceled as it returned to normal, its body no longer glowing.
"You were fortunate there, Estelle", Ish smiled. "But we shall see whether you can defeat my partner, Ascension Sky Dragon. I place one card facedown and end my turn."
"That means that Azure-Eyes' protective effect is over. My turn. Draw!" I yelled, drawing Trade-In. "Azure-Eyes' effect activates during my Standby Phase! I can Special summon one Normal Monster from my Graveyard, so I bring back one of my Dragon Spirit of White Monsters to the field in attack mode!"
Dragon Spirit of White, Level 8: ATK 2500
"Dragon Spirit of White's effect! When it's summoned, it can target and banish one Spell or Trap card my opponent controls! I choose the Fountain in the Sky!"
The pure white dragon screeched as it flew over to the fountain on the Sanctuary. It fired a white beam at the middle of the pool before it got swallowed by a wormhole. Now, one of the Life Point sources was gone.
"A clever move, but in return, I activate my Continuous Trap; Aegis of Gaia!" Ish called. "It gives me 3000 Life Points, but the downside is when it's removed from the field, I will take 3000 points of damage."
Ish: 8500 LP – 11,500 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
Ouch… Ish certainly moved collecting Life Points, but I had to do something now to turn the Duel around. Maybe my Spell card can help me. A small gamble, but it was worth it.
"I play Trade-In!" I shouted. "I discard my Level 8 Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand to the Graveyard to draw two more cards."
"Spell Absorption!" Ish called.
Ish: 11,500 LP – 12,000 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP
Okay, now she had thrice the Life Points, but I got two good cards with the help of Trade-In; Galaxy Serpent and Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon!
"I continue my turn by summoning Galaxy Serpent in defense mode!" I shouted.
Galaxy Serpent, Level 2, Tuner: DEF 0
"I tune Level 2 Galaxy Serpent and Level 9 Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon! A million suns are never enough to outshine the brightest star of the universe! Synchro summon! Arise, the Emperor of the Stars, Star Eater!"
"I activate Sauravis, the Ancient and Ascended's effect!" Ish yelled. "I return it to hand to negate the Special summoning of your Star Eater and banish it!"
Sauravis' body turned transparent before it returned to Ish's hand, but it sent a duplicate towards Star Eater to stop him while he was still just a large fire sphere.
"I hate to inform you, Ish, but Star Eater's Synchro summoning cannot be negated", I said.
"Eh?" Ish said in surprise.
Sauravis' duplicate was about to touch the surface of the fire sphere when the flames grew bigger and burned it into a crisp. Shortly after that, Star Eater extended his neck, tail, and wings from the sphere with a roar.
Star Eater, Level 11: ATK 3200
"I had no idea your Star Eater had such an effect…", Ish mumbled in awe before she got serious. "But he's still too weak to destroy Ascension Sky Dragon."
"That is right, but I have a plan", I nodded. "I reveal my third Blue-Eyes White Dragon in my hand to Special summon Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon in attack mode!"
Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon, Level 8: ATK 3000
"Next, since my opponent controls a Monster, I can Tribute Dragon Spirit of White to Special summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand in attack mode!"
Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Level 8: ATK 3000
"I activate Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon's effect! Once per turn, I can destroy a Monster my opponent controls, but the price is it won't be able to attack this turn. I choose to destroy Ascension Sky Dragon!"
"I activate Sauravis, the Ancient and Ascended's effect in my hand!" Ish counteracted. "When my opponent activates a card or effect that targets a Monster I control, I can discard Sauravis and negate the activation!"
Blue-Eyes Alternative was about to use its destruction beam when the transparent image of Sauravis appeared in front of it. He wrapped his long beard around my Blue-Eyes' muzzle, preventing it from activating its effect. Blue-Eyes Alternative grunted as the light in its mouth faded away, which was a sign the effect had been negated. After that, the image of Sauravis disappeared from the field.
"Okay then…", I mumbled before I got an idea. "I'll fuse my Blue-Eyes White Dragon with Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon! One Blue-Eyes dragon is the best, but double is always better for a bright victory! Fusion summon! Appear, Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"
Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, Level 10: ATK 3000
"I activate the White Stone of Ancients' effect in my Graveyard! I banish it to add one Blue-Eyes Monster from the Graveyard to my hand. I choose one of my three Blue-Eyes White Dragons. Now it's time to battle! Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, attack Ascension Sky Dragon!"
"What?!" Ish exclaimed in surprise.
The twin dragon screeched before flying towards Ish's Synchro Monster. Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon's heads chomped onto Ascension Sky Dragon's wings attached on its arms. The Synchro dragon roared in pain as it unleashed a light from its body at my Fusion Monster as counterattack.
Ish: 12,000 LP
Estelle: 4000 LP – 3000 LP
"Why did you attack with your Blue-Eyes, Estelle?" Ish wondered. "You just lost one thousand Life Points."
"Because of two things", I replied. "One; Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon cannot be destroyed by battle. Two; at the end of the Damage Step, when this card attacks an opponent's Monster, but the opponent's Monster wasn't destroyed by the battle, it's banished!"
"No way!" Ish gasped. "If Ascension Sky Dragon is banished and not sent to the Graveyard, its other effect won't activate!"
A wormhole appeared behind Ascension Sky Dragon that attempted to suck it in. Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon released the Synchro dragon and used its necks to push it into the wormhole. The white Synchro Monster screeched in panic as it got sucked in before the wormhole vanished from the field. The Blue-Eyes Monster growled victoriously before the two heads turned to Soul of Purity and Light.
"That was one Monster, but Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon can make up to two attacks on Monsters during each Battle Phase!" I explained. "Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon, attack Soul of Purity and Light! Clear the field for Star Eater!"
Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon screeched before it bit both the body and the spirit of Soul of Purity and Light with its two mouths. The fairy Monster didn't make much noise before it got destroyed.
"Time to reduce your Life Points, Ish! Star Eater, attack directly with Starlight Breaker!"
Star Eater raised his neck while collecting energy in his mouth that glowed in the same colors as his large fiery sphere. As soon as he was done, he fired his signature attack at Ish. She was engulfed by the light as she shielded her face from getting blind. She looked a little stunned and exhausted by the Solid Vision effect.
Ish: 12,000 LP – 8800 LP
Estelle: 3000 LP
"I end my turn."
Ish wiped the sweat off her forehead before giving me a smile. "I didn't expect you would counteract like this. Very impressive, Estelle, but the Duel isn't over yet. Draw! I summon the Agent of Mystery – Earth in attack mode!"
The Agent of Mystery – Earth, Level 2, Tuner: ATK 1000
"The Agent of Mystery – Earth's effect! When she's Normal summoned, I can add one The Agent Monster from my Deck to hand. Or! While the Sanctuary in the Sky is face-up on the field, I can add one Master Hyperion from my Deck to hand instead, so I'll choose Master Hyperion!"
Oh no… Here it comes. I was expecting that Monster since several turns back.
"I banish the Agent of Mystery – Earth to Special summon Master Hyperion from my hand in attack mode!"
Master Hyperion, Level 8: ATK 2700
"Master Hyperion's effect! I can banish one LIGHT fairy Monster from my Graveyard to target one card on the field and destroy it. I banish Tethys, Goddess of Light to destroy Star Eater!"
Master Hyperion absorbed the remnants of Tethys, Goddess of Light before his fiery wings expanded themselves to engulf my ace Synchro, like giving him a warm hug. Star Eater screeched in pain by the flames before he exploded into pieces.
"Since the Sanctuary in the Sky is on the field, I can activate Master Hyperion's effect again! This time, I banish one Mystical Shine Ball to destroy Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon!"
The remnants of Mystical Shine Ball were absorbed by Master Hyperion before his wings grew large enough to wrap themselves around my Blue-Eyes Monster. The Fusion dragon tried shaking off the flames, but it was useless. It shattered into pieces before Master Hyperion withdrew his wings.
The sad truth was my field was empty, so I was going to take a direct attack.
"I hate to do this, but Master Hyperion will now attack you directly, Estelle!" Ish called.
Ish's Monster flew up to the sky and extended his hands to create a large fire ball. Its movement kind of resembled the way WarGreymon used its signature move from the Digimon anime. I braced myself as Master Hyperion threw the fire ball at me. The attack hit the ground and exploded into flames and smoke as the wind ruffled my hair and clothes. I covered my face from the dirt and wind as my Life Points took a large amount of damage.
Ish: 8800 LP
Estelle: 3000 LP – 300 LP
"I'll give you one turn to try a counterattack", Ish told me. "I end my turn."
"Okay. Draw!" I called, drawing Stamping Destruction. "I play my Spell card, Return of the Dragon Lords, to Special summon Dragon Spirit of White from my Graveyard!"
Dragon Spirit of White, Level 8: ATK 2500
"Spell Absorption!" Ish called.
Ish: 8800 LP – 9300 LP
Estelle: 300 LP
"Dragon Spirit of White's effect! When he's summoned, he'll banish your Spell Absorption!" I called. "Time to stop you from gaining more Life Points!"
The dragon fired a beam at the Continuous Spell card and hit it in the middle. Spell Absorption was immediately absorbed into a wormhole, finally getting rid of one of the Continuous cards.
"I continue by playing Stamping Destruction! I can play it while I have a dragon Monster on the field to destroy a Spell or Trap card on the field and inflict 500 points of damage! I destroy Aegis of Gaia!"
Dragon Spirit of White flew towards the face-up Trap card and stomped it on all four paws, shattering it into pieces that flew at Ish. She blocked the shards with her Duel Disk before they could hit her face.
Ish: 9300 LP – 8800 LP
Estelle: 300 LP
"When Aegis of Gaia is removed from the field, I'll take 3000 points of damage", Ish said.
Ish: 8800 LP – 5800 LP
Estelle: 300 LP
"I activate Dragon Spirit of White's effect! When my opponent controls a Monster, I can Tribute Dragon Spirit of White to Special summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand!"
Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Level 8: ATK 3000
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack Master Hyperion with White Lightning!"
My dragon collected enough energy in his mouth before firing it at Master Hyperion. The fairy Monster roared as his silhouette in the White Lightning dissolved, leaving no traces of its existence on the field.
"I had a feeling you had a backup plan, so good job", Ish commented.
"Thank you", I blushed softly. "That's all I can do for now, so I end my turn."
"Okay then. Draw!" Ish called. "I summon Honest in defense mode!"
Honest, Level 4: DEF 1900
"Unfortunately, that is all I can do, so I end my turn."
"Gotcha. I draw!" I yelled, drawing my second White Stone of Ancients. "Okay, first things first, I summon my second White Stone of Ancients in attack mode!"
The White Stone of Ancients, Level 1, Tuner: ATK 600
"Blue-Eyes White Dragon, attack Honest with White Lightning!"
The dragon raised his head and opened the mouth to collect energy for its signature move. Five seconds later, he fired the White Lightning that engulfed the angel Monster. Honest cried in pain before he shattered into pieces.
"White Stone of Ancients, attack Ish directly!"
The stone-like egg let out a loud noise like a heartbeat before it released a thin light beam. The beam hit Ish on the chest, causing her to gasp for air in a second before she recovered from the small assault.
Ish: 5800 LP – 5200 LP
Estelle: 300 LP
"Main Phase 2! I tune Level 1 White Stone of Ancients and Level 8 Blue-Eyes White Dragon! The ancient castle lost among the clouds! I beg you to descend and let me enter the ruins! Synchro summon! Appear, Cloudcastle!"
Cloudcastle, Level 9: DEF 3000
"Cloudcastle's effect! When it's Synchro summoned, I can target one Level 9 Monster in my Graveyard and Special summon it! Return to the field, Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon!"
There was a noise coming from the large castle above us of a gate opening to release one of the Monsters that were living on the floating island. A silver light fell from Cloudcastle and landed on the field with a screech.
Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon, Level 9: DEF 3000
"Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon's effect! Its effect will protect itself from card destruction until the end of the next turn. And also, while Cloudcastle is on the field, Level 8 or lower Monsters aren't allowed to attack on the turn they are summoned. I end my turn now and the White Stone of Ancients' effect activates in the Graveyard! I Special summon Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon from my Deck in defense mode!"
Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon, Level 8: DEF 2500
"Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon's effect can only be activated while I have Blue-Eyes White Dragon on the field or in the Graveyard! When it's Special summoned, I can add one Polymerization or one Ritual Spell card from my Deck to hand. I choose the Ritual Spell, Chaos Form. And Abyss Dragon's second effect activates during the End Phase, which lets me add one Level 8 or higher dragon Monster from my Deck to the hand. I choose Blue-Eyes Chaos MAX Dragon!"
"Okay… This looks bad. Let's see what I can do. Draw", Ish exhaled exhaustedly. "I place one card facedown and end my turn."
"Okay, and Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon's protective effect is over. Draw!" I called, drawing United We Stand. "Azure-Eyes' effect activates during the Standby Phase and Special summons one Normal Monster from my Graveyard! Return, Dragon Spirit of White!"
Dragon Spirit of White, Level 8: ATK 2500
"Dragon Spirit of White's effect! I banish your facedown card!"
The dragon Monster flew towards the facedown card before it sunk its teeth onto it. It ripped the card into two pieces, revealing the Draining Shield Trap card. A wormhole appeared underneath the card before it was swallowed into the nothingness.
Now nothing stood in my way to end, and win, the Duel.
"I switch Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon to attack mode!"
Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon, Level 8: DEF 2500 – ATK 2500
"I now equip United We Stand to Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon, which gives him 800 attack and defense points for each Monster I control. I have four Monsters, so that will be 3200 points!"
Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon, Level 8: ATK 2500 – ATK 5700
I saw how Ish moved her lips, but I couldn't hear what she said. Maybe she spoke to herself or something.
"Let's end the Duel now! Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon, attack directly!"
My Blue-Eyes glowed in a bright blue light and opened its wings like an angel. For a brief second, it reminded me of Stardust Dragon as it fired a thick blue energy beam with white sparkles at Ish. She was engulfed by the attack as my Monster reduced her Life Points to zero.
Ish: 5200 LP – 0 LP
Estelle: 300 LP
I sighed in exhaustion as the Duel was finally over. There had been several moments I got scared of losing against the Agents and Master Hyperion, but the biggest surprise was seeing Ascension Sky Dragon with my own eyes. It had only appeared in the manga, so I never thought it was going to show up.
My Duel Disk deactivated itself after the Duel was over, so I walked over to Ish to thank her for a good match. When I was in the middle of the field, I noticed her body was rigid and her eyes were hazy as if she was hypnotized. Something wasn't right.
XXXXXXXXXX – Ish's POV
"I have an excellent successor…", I spoke quietly to myself before I was engulfed by Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon's attack, finally putting the Duel to the end. The light of the beam was warm and felt like an embrace until it was over.
I didn't feel sad for losing this Duel. After all, this had been more of a test to personally check Estelle's Dueling skills and power. She certainly hadn't disappointed me, and it made my heart warm to see she had her very own dragon partner like my Ascension Sky Dragon and the other Signer Dragons.
Perhaps it was time to reveal the truth about my true identity to Estelle and the Signers.
XXXXXXXXXX
I guess you can figure out what kind of role Ish has by now. I'll post her Deck on my DeviantArt account as well.