This story was done in collaboration between me, Jriddle41 (Sodormatchmaker on DeviantART), and AaronCottrell97, while Jriddle41 and I both own the OCs that are used in the story. Credit to author AaronCottrell97 for helping write this story up (and for providing the duel layout for the story). Everything else belongs to their respective owners:
Thomas and Friends (c) Hit Entertainment and Mattel
The Railway Series (c) Rev Wilbert Awdry
Yu-Gi-Oh! (c) Konami
Title: TRANSCEND GAME
Opening up in the city of Knapford, it had been six long months since the Ceremonial Battle between Thomas Billinton and Spencer Gresley in the sands of Egypt. Things had finally returned to a state of normalcy for Thomas and his friends with the seven Millennium Items and the three 'Egyptian God' Cards all sealed away, never to be seen again. But at Boxford Corporation, things also returned to normal, but not everyone was, how shall we say, back to normal.
"Master Spencer, it's time for the R&D inspection!" The voice of a scientist echoed from inside the building.
(inside…)
Inside the main office, Spencer Gresley was in the middle of speaking to some of his top scientists about something.
"Operation Neurons!" The three scientists said at once.
"Hmph… I'm on the way," replied Spencer gruffly, before walking to get his Battle City coat off the nearby hook. As he put it on, he retreated into his thoughts, "That's the development code for the new Duel Disk boasted by my family's company! We've tried countless numbers of test versions up to this point… But no more than a select few have safely reached the point to be declared our new product…"
(elsewhere…)
Inside one hallway, Spencer walked by two display cases, with the first containing the famous BC mass production Duel Disk. Inside a second encasing, was what appeared to be a test version of the Neurons VR system. Looking at the product, Spencer scowled in disapproval over it.
"The test version of the Neurons VR system is, right now, scrap in a garbage pile!" thought Spencer, but then, while walking along, looked on the bright side of the device, "But… it's a failure loaded with unlocked potential."
(elsewhere…)
At the Duel Disk research and development department, Spencer finally met up with Skiff, Mr. Gresley (Boxford), and Mrs. Gresley (Boxford). As the family continued walking, they met up with a team of technicians. The leading member, Kenji Shima, was Asian and had silver/blue-colored hair; he was the first to address his superiors.
"Masters Spencer, Skiff, and Jim, and Mistress Leslie," acknowledged Kenji.
"How is the research coming along?" pressed Spencer professionally.
"To collect data on the test versions," explained Kenji, "we have turned towards the entire world and are eliciting the help of test monitor applicants," He handed Mrs. Gresley (Boxford) the list, "We have over one million applicants."
"A million?" repeated Mrs. Gresley (Boxford), looking the list over carefully, "That's an achievement."
"Is there anything else, Professor Shima?" asked Mr. Gresley (Boxford).
"Out of them, we have produced approximately two-hundred thousand duelists under the age of 15 regardless of race or faith…" replied Kenji, "With the network of every branch in the country sending us around the clock data!"
Skiff smiled, "That's quite the statement!" he remarked positively, looking at Spencer, "Duelists around the country are absolutely pining to see the world you've created, offering their help free of charge…"
"Just do me one favor, Kenji," requested Spencer, "Pay close attention to any medical effects the prototype has on the subjects."
"Yes, sir!" obeyed Kenji, before he and the group arrived outside another lab, "Hold on a few seconds, Master Spencer."
He pressed his hand onto a device, which then scanned the palm before turning green and opening the twin doors.
"Right this way," Kenji offered, "Please take a look below… This is Neurons."
(inside…)
Inside the chamber, the technicians and the Boxford family walked onto a bridge over a room below, where many of the test subjects were sitting on the floor wearing the Neurons headgear.
"Truly…charming little eggs…" cracked Spencer, chuckling humorlessly. He then became serious while explaining how it all worked, "The electromagnetic coils of the Neurons gear attached to them detect brainwave activity and change those into electromagnetic signals… And then they link up the image from the player's imagination with our company's Crystal Cloud Network and complete the VR Solid Vision!"
"Neuron systems around the world are resonating with each other's frequencies… Even as we speak, there are people who have never seen one another dueling in VR space!" put in Skiff, before looking at Spencer proudly, "That is what you've created, Big Brother… The World of Duel Links!" While going over how it all worked, images of various different Duel Monsters cards floated all around him, "Duelists can create Decks from card data sent across the cloud server and they can even group together based on their brainwave frequency—their Duel Pulse. Not only that, people can even form guilds, such as dragon users or pirates. The possibilities are nearly endless!"
"This vision is exactly the evolved Duel World I have sought! Children will gather here, transcending race, language, and national boundaries!" Spencer thought to himself, "This Duel Universe will expand infinitely!"
(elsewhere…)
Inside the Duel Links world, there were many floating constructs like castles and airships that served as key settlements for several different guilds that had been formed. In particular, a battle between groups calling themselves the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade and the Atlantean Pirate Guild was going on. The situation was as followed:
-The Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade (LP: 6500) controlled 'Armed Dragon LV10' (Level: 10/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2000), with it equipped with the 'White Veil' Spell Card.
-The Atlantean Pirate Guild (LP: 3000) controlled 'Poseidra, the Atlantean Dragon' (Level: 6/ATK: 3000/DEF: 1800), as well as the 'A Legendary Ocean' Spell Card, and the 'Tornado Wall' Trap Card.
"I activate 'Armed Dragon LV10's' effect!" The leader of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade declared, as a card in his hand disappeared (entering the GY), "I can send 1 card from my hand to the GY; I must destroy all face-up monsters my opponent controls!"
'Armed Dragon LV10' unleashed a fierce sonic roar at 'Poseidra, the Atlantean Dragon', overwhelming and destroying the giant sea creature.
"Even so…" The leader of the Atlantean Pirate Guild grunted in displeasure, "We still have 'A Legendary Ocean', so 'Tornado Wall' will protect us from taking any battle damage!"
"How wrong you are!" grinned the Dragon Knight leader, "Due to 'White Veil's' effects, while the equipped monster battles, our opponent cannot activate any Spell/Trap Cards until the end of the Damage Step. Also, when an attack is declared involving the equipped monster: Face-up Spells/Traps our opponent controls have their effects negated until the end of the Damage Step (even if this card leaves the field)!"
"No way!" The Atlantean Pirate Guild leader cringed.
The rest of the guild members cringed as well, knowing that they had lost the battle.
(elsewhere…)
Inside the chamber, Spencer put on a much smaller VR headpiece so that he could see what was happening in the Duel Links world.
"In any game, order is the hardest element to maintain," Spencer reckoned to himself, mentally, "However, it can also be said that the destruction of order is the way of the world."
(elsewhere…)
Back within the Duel Links world, the Battle Phase for The Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade was beginning.
"It's time for battle!" yelled the leader of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade, "Go forth, 'Armed Dragon LV10'! Make mincemeat out of our opponents! Armed Big White Punisher!"
'Armed Dragon LV10' obeyed, raising its right claw and charging a blast before holding it out and firing it.
"Since 'White Veil' prevents the effects of face-up Spell Cards and Trap Cards from activating until the end of the Damage Step," thought the leader of the Atlantean Pirate Guild, "'Tornado Wall' won't reduce our damage from battle to 0!"
And the attack collided with the opposition, causing an explosion as the members of the Atlantean Pirate Guild all cried out in defeat as their LP gauges emptied (LP: 3000 → 0). The members of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade all smirked with sheer arrogance at their seeming victory.
"That was the best the Atlantean Pirate Guild had?" One member scoffed.
"It shouldn't matter since we can't be beat!" A second member proclaimed, "Let's celebrate by leaving this place and grabbing a bite to eat!"
"Hey, wait a second, guys!" A third member cut in, "Take a look at our monster!"
To the whole guild's surprise, 'Armed Dragon LV10' had not disappeared from the field even though the duel had been won by them.
"What the heck?!" cried the leader of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade, stunned, "We won the duel! That means 'Armed Dragon LV10' should vanish!"
"That's because the duel is not over," A new voice (female) remarked playfully, "You still have one more opponent to vanquish before it ends."
The leader of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade looked nearby, seeing a relatively small ship emerging from underneath his guild's own airship and flying up to their level. Onboard the ship was a young woman wearing a coat, hood, mask, long gloves, boots, and ankh symbol with her Duel Disk already activated.
"Intrusion Penalty; 4000 LP!" A robotic voice from the Duel Disk echoed.
The mysterious young woman then had her LP halved (LP: 8000 → 4000), but she was unfazed by the detail.
"Just who do you think you are?" asked the second Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade member rudely, "We won our duel and you decide to butt in?"
"As I said, the duel isn't over until 'all' your opponents have fallen," The young woman said back, "Unless you can defeat me, you haven't won yet."
"Tch! Minor details," complained the leader of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade, but then grinned eagerly, "But still, the idea of one person challenging our guild alone is plain laughable!"
(elsewhere…)
Back in the lab…
"Since we were accepting applications for test subjects, I anticipated that there may be some who volunteered just so they could harass others, hence why I included the intrusion penalty," commented Spencer, as though he was not surprised at what happened just now, "If anyone attempted to interfere with someone else's duel for the sake of harassment, they would immediately be penalized by having their LP halved once they barge in."
"One would have to be extremely confident in their abilities to even think of intruding on someone else's duel," added Skiff, "Seeing as they could already have to face a solid formation while their base LP is severely hindered."
"Their opponent's may have already used up many of their best resources beforehand, so sabotaging at the right moment could give the intruders a more even chance of defeating them…if they're brave enough to even take such a heavy risk," Mr. Gresley (Boxford) pointed out.
"I don't know about that," frowned Mrs. Gresley (Boxford), "Intruding when having to face an 'Armed Dragon LV10' equipped with 'White Veil' seems absolutely crazy to me."
"Not as crazy as the space elevator we're building," cracked Skiff, "The technology we're developing these days… Sometimes I wonder where we even get these ideas."
Spencer said nothing back; he decided to see if the young woman was able to do battle with an enemy controlling an extremely strong field.
(elsewhere…)
Back in the Duel Links world, the members of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade were laughing themselves silly over how dumb their new opponent seemed to be in intruding their duel. The young woman didn't seem to mind being laughed at, however.
"So, how about it?" pressed the young woman, "Can you boys defeat one single opponent?"
"Of course, we can!" insisted the third Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade member, "See our field? We have 'Armed Dragon LV10', and it's equipped with 'White Veil'! You? You have only 4000 LP!"
"You're brave in challenging us, we'll give you that," snickered the first Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade member, "But, at the same time, you're also being very stupid in dueling the guild by yourself!"
"Once we get another turn, you will feel the full power of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade!" added the leader of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade, before entering his End Phase, "As of now, this turn is officially over!"
"Another turn?" chuckled the young woman, drawing a card, "Who says you'll get to see another turn?"
"What?" gasped a fifth member of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade.
Turn ?: Unknown Duelist (LP: 4000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, and "Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel"
Appearing face-up on the field was a Monster Card known as 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel'.
"I Summon 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' in Attack Position!" The young woman, with two fingers pressed on a Monster Zone on her Duel Disk, proclaimed.
The face-up Monster Card was then engulfed by a pillar of fire. From there, two mechanical arms were shown coming out from the flames.
"W-What the-?" winced the leader of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade.
When the fire died down, the full, round body of a huge robotic machine had shown itself. It had two, long arms, floated without the use for legs, and had a red symbol embedded on its chest cavity (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1600).
"This is 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel'," explained the mysterious young woman. She then took a card ('Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel') from her Deck and sent it to the GY, "This monster will be the last thing you guys will ever see in your short term dueling careers in this realm."
Over with the remaining members of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade…
"'Cubic'?" repeated the fifth Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade member, looking at his fellow guild members, "What kind of archetype is that supposed to be?"
"How should we know? This is the first time we're hearing of it," replied the third Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade member, "Anyway, we should be okay. That lady's monster only has an ATK of 1600."
"Is that so?" The voice of the young woman interrupted, causing the members of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade to look over. In addition to overhearing the conversation, she was also seen holding out two copies of the same Spell Card ('Cubic Wave'), "As much as I want the duel to proceed at a normal pace, I'm afraid it won't last for much longer, you see!"
To prove a point, 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' found itself growing bigger and stronger (ATK: 1600 → 1800 → 3600 → 7200). Before long, 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' was the exact same size as 'Armed Dragon LV10'.
"This is ridiculous!" objected the leader of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade, "Your monster now has 7200 ATK? What kind of cards are those supposed to be anyway?!"
"My secret," teased the young woman, before giggling maliciously, "And besides, something appears to be wrong with your 'Armed Dragon LV10'!"
To the horror of the entire Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade, they saw that 'Armed Dragon LV10' was growing weaker and weaker (ATK: 3000 → 1500 → 750).
"'Armed Dragon LV10's' ATK has…" began the second member of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade.
"…fallen to 750!" finished the fourth member of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade, "She did it all so quickly, too!"
(elsewhere…)
Back in the lab…
"This is so fascinating," murmured Spencer, reading the duelist's Duel Pulse with interest, before falling into his thoughts again, "This woman's Duel Pulse is 8800… Their brainwave oscillation frequencies transcend that of a normal person and will destroy everything."
(elsewhere…)
In the Duel Links world, the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade was left baffled by how quickly their opponent managed to turn things around in her favor, while the young woman in-question was having her turn to laugh.
"Ha ha ha! It would seem the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade isn't all they're cracked up to be, I see," taunted the mysterious young woman with a quick laugh, before entering the Battle Phase, "'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel', end 'Armed Dragon LV10's' life!"
'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' obeyed, throwing a punch and striking 'Armed Dragon LV10' in its chest, causing the enemy monster to explode from its destruction. The power of this explosion was massive, but the members of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade were able to stay on their feet as their LP gauge took a big fall (LP: 6500 → 50).
"Damn it…" swore the leader of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade, but then got a panicked expression on his face, "Wait a moment… The fourth effect of 'White Veil'!"
"That's right," agreed the young woman, who seemed to know what the 'White Veil' Spell Card did, "When this face-up card in a player's Spell & Trap Zone leaves the field, that player takes 3000 damage."
The entirety of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade let out screams as their remaining, very few LP was immediately taken away from them (LP: 50 → 0).
DUEL RESULTS: Unknown Duelist wins!
With the duel finally over, 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' faded away as the members of the defeated guild collapsed onto their knees in disbelief over their victory streak being broken by a single duelist.
"Was that it?" The young woman huffed, slightly disappointed at the lack of challenge from the match, "I was expecting a much more difficult duel with only 4000 LP."
"Just…who are you?" stammered the leader of the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade.
"Since none of you know, I'll tell you," The mysterious young woman offered sternly, "My name's Prana, and you would be wise to remember it."
And with that, the mysterious Prana's ship flew away…
(elsewhere…)
Back in the lab, Spencer was smirking in amusement over the powerful alien element that appeared in his virtual world.
"The appearance of dangerous elements pleases me," he thought to himself, "However, I'm running a business and cannot ignore them. That one calls herself Prana…"
"Incredible! This Solid Vision is revolutionary! It's as if we exist here in the world of Duel Links!" exclaimed Kenji, marveling at the magnificence of the virtual world, "Master Spencer! At this rate, development of the new Duel Disk is sure to succeed!"
"Except…" interrupted Spencer, removing the VR headpiece, "…the system is only 50% complete. An unexpected distortion appeared in the VR image. Check the brain waves of the subjects and report back today!"
"Yes, sir!" obeyed Kenji.
With that agreed to, Spencer looked back out the window at the duelists below the bridge. One of the volunteers in particular caught his eye; a young-looking Egyptian girl was removing her Neurons gear.
"Spencer?" pondered Mr. Gresley (Boxford), wondering why his older son was looking so surprised, "Is something wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost or something."
"Huh?" replied Spencer, looking at his Father while also noticing that his Mother as well as Skiff were looking at him in confusion, "Oh, i-it's nothing," He then looked out the window once more as his thoughts spoke otherwise, "That young girl… Why did she remove her headpiece…?"
(elsewhere…)
A few weeks later, it was nighttime at the Boxford family mansion.
(inside…)
Inside Spencer's home laboratory, the silver-haired young man was awake and seated at his desk working on adjusting the Neurons VR system.
"The moment of completion is when I enter the Duel Links world myself…" Spencer thought to himself, as he soon finished making the final adjustments and smiled to himself, "…and rule as its King!"
Just then…
"But…you can't become King…" The voice of a little girl echoed in the room, "Not ever…"
Spencer grinned, "Well, I'll be," he commented in a confident, cool voice, folding his arms and turning his chair around, "To think of someone being capable of slipping into here…"
Spencer Gresley found himself face-to-face with the same young Egyptian girl he spotted back at Boxford Corporation. There seemed to be a creepy smile on her face as she let out a chuckle of sorts.
"You're the one from back then…" continued Spencer, recalling the earlier event.
"I am the test subject whose duty is to help shape your world…" said the young Egyptian girl, not losing her smile, "Spencer Gresley, CEO of Boxford Corporation."
"What do you want with me?" frowned Spencer.
"Don't make such a frightful face…" The young Egyptian girl joked, "I have simply come to relay a word of thanks."
"Thanks?!" remarked Spencer, growing more suspicious of this girl.
"The Duel Links world unites Duelists' minds. It's a revolutionary system that provides a new dueling arena," elaborated the young Egyptian girl, "If someone with an exceptional mind that surpasses human intellect were to sneak in…"
"Exceptional?" questioned Spencer.
"If highly conscious beings were to gather and unite in this dimension, which exists as a result of its dissonance, access to another as-yet-unknown dimension would become possible. It might be a realm beyond this life… or a higher plane…" continued the young Egyptian girl, "I heard a voice… The voice of someone very important in the world of Duel Links. But this person is no longer amongst the living, but instead resides in the afterworld."
Spencer's eyes widened when he heard the word 'afterworld' being said in-front of him, but it was not out of shock—it was out of…excitement.
"The afterworld…!" thought Spencer happily.
"If you tuned yourself to those higher minds…" explained the young Egyptian girl, "…you could, right now, go as well!"
"…!" reeled Spencer, but then noticed that the person he was talking to faded away in whisps and smoke, "What?! She disappeared!?"
There was then a beeping noise on a nearby mini monitor. Scowling, Spencer approached and pressed a button, revealing an image of a panicked-looking Skiff.
"Big Brother, there's big trouble!" he said urgently, "There is unfamiliar data registering on the main branch laboratory's Duel Links surveillance monitor."
"Show me," requested Spencer, as a projection of a globe appeared before him with numerous lights blinking, "This is…!"
"The signals of Neurons around the world are behaving oddly! An unidentified mind is attracting the test subjects' digital brain signals!" The voice of Skiff exclaimed, "If something about it isn't done soon, there could be a big disaster!"
The lights on the globe began to form a spike above the Island of Sodor, with a single bright light on top. Spencer initially watched this with shock, but, like during his conversation with that girl, it was quickly replaced by excitement seeing as he knew what it was.
"Dimensional Ascension!" realized Spencer, while in his thoughts… "It's here! This is what I wanted! My ultimate vision for Operation Neurons!"
And the silver-haired young man burst into loud, almost sinister, laughter, just as the image of Skiff reappeared on the monitor.
"Skiff, tell Mother and Father that I'm going to access Duel Links!" Spencer requested, as he made his way over to a VR pod.
"You're going to what?!" gasped the image of Skiff, "Big Brother! Stop!"
Skiff's protests were sadly ignored, as Spencer settled himself into the pod and prepared to enter the world of Duel Links.
"Go! Full speed ahead!" shouted Spencer.
And the VR pod activated, sending Spencer's mind directly into the Duel Links world. The monitor then shut itself off, since Skiff didn't like what was about to possibly happen.
(elsewhere…)
Within the Duel Links world, numerous duelists were looking around when they heard the sound of a 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' roaring. In the sky, appearing was not a monster, but, rather, a jet resembling a 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'.
"Look up there!" One young duelist proclaimed.
"It's Spencer Gresley's Battle Ship!" Another young duelist added.
The duelists all started calling out for a challenge, but the Blue-Eyes Jet simply soared through the sky at an alarming speed, with its main pilot ignoring the requests.
"He's ascending at breakneck speed!" A third young duelist commented, "Where in the world could he be going?"
(inside…)
Inside the cockpit…
"Uniting the minds of Neurons amplifies the frequency by infinity! Which means the evolution of a higher mind and sublimation to a higher dimension!" Spencer thought to himself, while smiling almost insanely, "That's where 'she' is!" He then heard an alarm on the dashboard, "What?! Is someone following me? No… They are already on top of me…"
(outside…)
The door to the cockpit opened up, and Spencer jumped out and landed on the body of the jet. There, he found he was not alone; there, standing on the other end, was none other than Prana.
"Turn back," requested Prana, "It's too dangerous to proceed. This is a warning, Spencer Gresley!"
"It's you again…" grunted Spencer.
"Duel Links is a dangerous game that uses the minds of Neurons to access a higher dimension. A world of demons beyond the mental limits of ordinary humans lies ahead. Are you prepared for that?"
"What? Do you think I'm afraid?!" The silver-haired young man seemed to snarl, "I destroy all who get in my way! Prepare yourself, Prana!"
Prana sneered, "So, you won't leave?" she sighed, activating her Duel Disk, "I am a higher being. If you can defeat me in a duel, a Superconscious Duel, then you shall pass. Should you lose, then…you will die, Spencer Gresley!"
"Superconscious Duel?" asked Spencer.
"Quite simply, we each can Normal Summon Level 5 or higher monsters without Tribute," explained Prana, "Quite the advantage for either side, wouldn't you agree?"
"Heh… How interesting," mused Spencer, activating his own brand new Duel Disk model, "In that case, come at me, Prana! Those who challenge me will be met with a crushing defeat!"
And so, the duel commenced…
"It's my turn!" began Spencer, drawing a card, "Draw!"
Turn One: Spencer Gresley (LP: 8000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Maiden with Eyes of Blue", "Cards of Consonance", "Blue-Eyes White Dragon", "The White Stone of Ancients", "Vision with Eyes of Blue", and "True Light"
His drawn card was a Trap Card called 'True Light', while the rest of his hand contained 'Maiden with Eyes of Blue', 'Cards of Consonance', 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon', 'The White Stone of Ancients', and 'Vision with Eyes of Blue'.
"Good," thought Spencer, before holding out a card ('Cards of Consonance') while also causing a large image of it to rise from behind him, "From my hand, I'll activate 'Cards of Consonance'! I must discard 1 Dragon Tuner with 1000 or less ATK; I must draw 2 cards."
Without wasting a second, the 'The White Stone of Ancients' Monster Card went into the GY, and Spencer drew his two cards ('Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon' and 'Neo Kaiser Glider'). Another small, smug smile formed on his face as he took and slotted another card into a Spell & Trap Zone on the new Duel Disk.
"Continuous Spell, 'Vision with Eyes of Blue', activate!" announced Spencer, as the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field in-front of him. He then took and showed off a card ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon'), "When I activate this card: I can reveal 1 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' in my hand; I must Special Summon 1 monster from my hand."
"I see…" murmured Prana, "You must have something you want to Special Summon from your hand, is that right?"
"I do," With that, Spencer added his revealed card back into his hand, took another ('Maiden with Eyes of Blue'), and placed it onto his Duel Disk, "Come forth, 'Maiden with Eyes of Blue'!"
Appearing onto the field was a young human woman with long white hair, pure blue eyes, and wearing an attire consisting of a brown tribal dress with two 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' designs sewn on (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0).
"'Maiden with Eyes of Blue'…" uttered Prana, before acknowledging something about Spencer's monster, "Yes… It's all clear to me now… She's the one you're trying so desperately to see again."
Spencer frowned, but said nothing back. His mind, meanwhile, was busy commenting on it.
"Those dreams I've been having since returning from Egypt… Where our hands almost touch, but they never do…" thought Spencer, "I won't stop having them until… until I find a way to bring her back to the living…" He then took a card ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon') from his hand and raised it up, "My pride and soul! Come forth, 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'!"
Appearing onto the field in a burst of light and with a loud roar, was the huge white/blue-scaled dragon itself (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500).
"'Blue-Eyes'-?!" recoiled Prana.
"From here, I'll activate the second effect of 'Vision with Eyes of Blue'!" continued Spencer, "Once per turn: I can target 1 face-up monster I control; I must return that face-up monster to the hand, then I can apply the following effect, based on the original name of the card returned to the hand."
These were the effects to be chosen from:
-"'Blue-Eyes White Dragon': I must Special Summon 1 monster from my hand."
-"Other: I must Special Summon 1 'Blue-Eyes' monster from my hand."
As expected, 'Maiden with Eyes of Blue' closed her eyes as she started glowing blue.
"This will activate 'Maiden with Eyes of Blue's' first effect!" As he spoke, Spencer took a card ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon') from his Deck and placed it onto his new Duel Disk, "When a card or effect is activated that targets this card (Quick Effect): I can Special Summon 1 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' from my hand, Deck, or GY."
In a burst of light, a second 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' appeared on the field (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500).
"Now to resolve the effect of 'Vision with Eyes of Blue'!" said Spencer, holding out his retrieved card ('Maiden with Eyes of Blue'), "First, 'Maiden with Eyes of Blue' returns to my hand!"
'Maiden with Eyes of Blue' allowed herself to be turned into blue specks of light as she returned to card form in Spencer's hand, allowing him to hold out yet another card ('Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon').
"Now, come forth, 'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon'!" he commanded.
Appearing in the sky in a burst of light, was what appeared to be a 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon', but it had more of a jet-like appearance. Despite looking like a Machine monster, it was actually a Dragon monster (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 0).
"Other cards I control cannot be destroyed by my opponent's card effects," explained Spencer, before removing both 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' Monster Cards from the Monster Zones on his Duel Disk and sending them to the GY, "From there, I'll send my two 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' to the GY! By doing so, they will fuse together into 'Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon'!"
In no time, both 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons' fused together, and appearing on the field in their place was an angry, two-headed 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' (Level: 10/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500).
"Two monsters with 3000 ATK… and on the first turn, too," breathed Prana.
"Then by Setting a card face-down…" finished Spencer, with a card in-between the index and middle fingers of his right hand before slotting it into his new Duel Disk, "…I'll end my turn!"
A face-down card materialized on the field, but Prana didn't make a move just yet.
"However, this activates the first effect of 'The White Stone of Ancients' in my GY!" As Spencer spoke, he took a card ('Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon'), held it out for a moment, and then placed it onto his Duel Disk, "Once per turn, during the End Phase, if this card is in the GY because it was sent there this turn: I can Special Summon 1 'Blue-Eyes' monster from my Deck," His new Duel Disk started to light up with power, "Appear now, 'Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon'!"
Appearing onto the field was a majestic, four-winged version of 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2500).
"Ha ha ha ha ha! How's that?!" laughed Spencer, he then drew two cards ('Chaos Form' and 'Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon'), "The first effect of 'Abyss Dragon' activates! If this card is Special Summoned: I can add 1 Ritual Spell or 1 'Polymerization' from my Deck to my hand. And since it's still the End Phase, the second effect of my monster also activates! During my End Phase: I can add 1 Level 8 or higher Dragon monster from my Deck to my hand."
"You have brought out your full potential by Summoning three 'Blue-Eyes' monsters on your first turn," commented Prana, "It's to be expected from the likes of you."
"I might be flattered to hear that if you weren't my enemy," retorted Spencer, "Now, it's your turn! Either make it count, or get out of my way!"
"Ever heard of the phrase 'Be careful what you wish for'?" joked Prana, drawing a card, "You might end up regretting it."
Turn Two: Prana (LP: 8000)
Deck: 54
Current Hand (6): "Cubic Blessing"(!), "Constellar Zubeneschamali", "Cubic Wave", "Constellar Siat", "Constellar Virgo", and "Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel"
Her hand contained 'Cubic Blessing', 'Constellar Zubeneschamali', 'Cubic Wave', 'Constellar Siat', 'Constellar Virgo', and the drawn 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel'.
"Spencer," began Prana, "I wish to show you a little something of your past."
"My past?" repeated Spencer, "What are you implying?"
"You should know all about these monsters!" As she said that, Prana took and placed a card ('Constellar Siat') onto a Monster Zone on her Duel Disk, "I Special Summon 'Constellar Siat'!"
Appearing onto the field was a small, robotic Fairy monster with a large pot over its head (Level: 1/ATK: 100/DEF: 1600).
"'Constellar Siat'?" pondered Spencer.
"If my opponent controls a monster and I control no monsters, I can Special Summon this card (from my hand)," explained Prana, before taking and placing another card ('Constellar Virgo') onto her Duel Disk, "Next, through the rules of the Superconscious Duel, I'll Summon the Level 5 'Constellar Virgo' in Attack Position!"
Appearing onto the field was a cosmic armored Fairy monster with a mechanical pair of wings (Level: 5/ATK: 2300/DEF: 1600).
"When this card is Normal Summoned: I can Special Summon 1 Level 5 'Constellar' monster from my hand in face-up Defense Position," Prana went on, as she took and placed yet another card ('Constellar Zubeneschamali') onto her Duel Disk, "Appear, 'Constellar Zubeneschamali'!"
Appearing onto the field was a third 'Constellar' monster; this one was tall and had blade-like claws and round shields for both hands (Level: 5/ATK: 2100/DEF: 1400). Spencer uttered a short grunt of annoyance when he saw the three monsters, and had a feeling more would be coming shortly.
"I activate the effect of 'Constellar Zubeneschamali'!" declared Prana, drawing a card and looking at it for a few seconds, "When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: I can add 1 'Constellar' monster from my Deck to my hand," A few seconds later, she looked up and held her drawn card ('Constellar Caduceus') out to show the opponent, "Next, if I control a 'Constellar' monster, except 'Constellar Caduceus': I can Special Summon this card from my hand."
"Figures as much," groaned Spencer.
"Come forth, 'Constellar Caduceus'!" declared Prana.
Appearing onto the field was the fourth 'Constellar' monster; a gold and black armored Spellcaster monster wielding a large scepter (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1550).
"I activate the second effect of 'Caduceus'!" declared Prana, drawing another card ('Constellar Twinkle'), "During my Main Phase: I can add 1 'Constellar' Spell/Trap from my Deck to my hand," From there, a Spell Card then materialized face-up on the field in-front of her, "Spell Card, 'Constellar Twinkle', activate! I must target 1 'Constellar' monster I control; I must increase its Level by 1 or 2."
To the surprise of no one, 'Constellar Caduceus' had its Level boosted slightly (Level: 4 → 5).
"'Constellar Caduceus' ascends to Level 5!" The voice of Prana proclaimed. She then pointed at her monster and continued with her turn, "And with that, I activate 'Constellar Siat's' second effect! Once per turn: I can target 1 'Constellar' monster I control or in my GY; this card's Level becomes the current Level of that monster. 'Zubeneschamali', bestow your cosmic power upon 'Siat'!"
'Constellar Zubeneschamali' and 'Constellar Siat' were enveloped by a cosmic aura as the latter received a significant increase to its Level (Level: 1 → 5).
"Hmm… You've finally finished your preparations," remarked Spencer, "In that case…" He then raised his right arm up, "Continuous Trap, 'True Light', activate!"
The lone Set card flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"That card…" whispered Prana, recognizing the artwork, "It has the carving of the legendary 'White Dragon'."
"My opponent cannot target 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' in my Monster Zone with card effects," explained Spencer, "If this face-up card is sent from the Spell & Trap Zone to the GY: I must destroy all monsters I control," He then smiled smugly at what else his card could do, "I can only use the following effect of 'True Light' once per turn. I can activate 1 of these effects."
These were the effects to be chosen from:
-"I must Special Summon 1 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' from my hand or GY."
-"I must Set 1 Spell/Trap directly from my Deck, that specifically lists 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' in its text, with a different name from the cards I control and in my GY."
A face-down card materialized on the field near Spencer's feet, signaling the second effect was chosen.
"It would seem you have chosen the second effect, but I'm afraid it can't help you this turn," retorted Prana, "From what I can tell, most of the duelists here seem to rely on the most basic of gameplay, but I go for the more advanced tactics!" She then held her right hand out, "I overlay the Level 5 'Constellar Virgo' and 'Constellar Caduceus'!"
The two mentioned monsters turned into balls of light and flew into the forming Overlay Network in the center of the duel field.
"Light of the stars, descend and shake this very Earth!" chanted Prana, as the Overlay Network exploded and released something, "Xyz Summon! Rank 5, 'Constellar Pleiades'!"
Appearing onto the field, when the Xyz Summon sequence ended, was a monster that Spencer was quite familiar with from his rematch with Commander Leon; it was a large warrior in the same star based armor as his fellow 'Constellar' comrades (Rank: 5/ATK: 2500/DEF: 1500).
"All within my expectations," murmured Spencer, "That fool Leon believed he could defeat me with monsters like that, but he was dead wrong."
"Unlike your opponent from then, I'm going to use these cards to their full potential," warned Prana, "And besides, the third effect of 'Constellar Caduceus' activates now! A 'Constellar' Xyz Monster that has this card as material gains this effect."
This was the effect:
-"If this card battles a LIGHT or DARK monster, before damage calculation: I can banish that monster."
"I see…" grumbled Spencer.
"And now, I overlay the Level 5 'Constellar Siat' and 'Constellar Zubeneschamali'!" announced Prana, as the Overlay Network returned to the center of the field, "If you thought one was bad, try facing two of the same monster!"
Both 'Constellar Siat' and 'Constellar Zubeneschamali' turned into balls of light and were absorbed into the Overlay Network.
"Xyz Summon!" continued Prana, as another 'Constellar Pleiades' emerged from the Overlay Network and onto the field itself (Rank: 5/ATK: 2500/DEF: 1500), "'Constellar Pleiades'!"
"So, I face two of these guys, huh?" thought Spencer, not looking very impressed to say the least. He then resumed smiling darkly, "Interesting… This means the duel will be over for her before she knows it."
"I activate the special ability of 'Pleiades'!" cut in Prana, as one of her 'Constellar Pleiades' gave up one of its two Overlay Units, "Once per turn (Quick Effect): I can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 card on the field; I must return that target to the hand."
The sacrificed Overlay Unit flew into the weapon of 'Constellar Pleiades', which was then used to fire a beam at the face-up 'True Light' Trap Card, striking and turning it into dust. Which, in turn, caused a card to reappear in Spencer's hand. Despite what happened to his Trap Card, Spencer remained unfazed by his opponent's strategy.
"Once more!" declared Prana, as the second copy of 'Constellar Pleiades' gave up one of its Overlay Units, "The second 'Pleiades' returns 'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon' to your hand!"
Just as the first copy did, the second 'Constellar Pleiades' fired a beam from its weapon at 'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon', striking the monster and causing it to return to Spencer's hand as a card, but just as before, Spencer wasn't concerned by this setback.
"Now, it's time for me to get serious…" said Prana, ominously, as she held out a card ('Cubic Blessing') from her hand, "Quick-Play Spell, 'Cubic Blessing', activate!"
"What?" pondered Spencer, the most surprised he'd been in the duel so far.
"I must Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower 'Cubic' monster from my hand or GY," explained Prana, holding out another card and placing it onto a Monster Zone on her Duel Disk, "Appear, 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel'!"
Appearing on the field was the same robotic monster with large arms that Spencer had witnessed during the Neurons test session weeks ago (Level: 4/ATK: 1600/DEF: 1600).
"So it's finally appeared…" remarked Spencer, before smirking with confidence in his own abilities, "Interesting as ever…"
"'Duza's' first effect activates!" declared Prana, taking a card from her Deck and sending it to the GY, "When this card is Normal or Special Summoned: I can send 1 'Cubic' card from my Deck to the GY. I send a second copy of 'Duza' to the GY, and in doing so, I activate the second effect of 'Duza'!"
Spencer, remembering what happened when Prana dueled the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade, prepared himself.
"Once per turn, if a monster was sent to my GY this turn while this card was face-up on the field (Quick Effect): I can make this card gain 200 ATK for each monster with a different name in my GY, until the end of this turn," Prana explained, before she started looking down at her GY and recalling how many different monsters are there, "There are currently three differently named monsters in my GY, therefore, 'Duza' gains 600 ATK."
'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' felt itself receive a small increase in power (ATK: 1600 → 2200).
"Now, I'll activate the Spell Card, 'Cubic Wave', from my hand!" continued Prana, holding the mentioned card out, "This is how it works… I must target 1 'Cubic' monster I control and 1 face-up monster my opponent controls; the ATK of that monster I control becomes double its current ATK, and if it does, the ATK of that monster my opponent controls becomes half its current ATK. This is one of the cards I demonstrated in my last duel!"
Spencer simply waited.
"Now, by targeting my 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel', I'll double its ATK from 2200 all the way to 4400! Not only that, I'll also halve your 'Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon's' ATK from 2500 down to 1250!"
Similar to what happened in Prana's duel with the Dragon Knight Airborne Brigade, 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' not only grew stronger in ATK (ATK: 2200 → 4400), but it also started growing in size until it was the size of 'Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon'—who then got weaker (ATK: 2500 → 1250).
"However, your downfall is not finished being prepared for," Prana pointed out.
"Oh really?" said Spencer sarcastically, "And what else do you need to do to finish preparing to take me out?"
The answer came in the form of a card ('Cubic Blessing') ejecting from Prana's GY, which she took and held out.
"The finishing touch is through the second effect of 'Cubic Blessing'," replied Prana, as her card then dissolved into blue dust (banished). As she explained further, she took a card ('Cubic Causality') from her Deck, held it out for a few seconds, and sent it to the GY, "During the Main or Battle Phase: I can banish this card from my GY, then send 1 'Cubic' Normal Trap from my Deck to the GY; this effect becomes that Trap's effect when that card is activated. As you can see, I've sent the Normal Trap 'Cubic Causality' from my Deck to the GY."
"And it does…what exactly?" pressed Spencer.
"It's simple for someone like you to understand," shrugged Prana, but agreed to explain, "I must distribute a number of Cubic Counters on face-up monsters my opponent controls, up to the number of 'Cubic' monsters I control. (Monsters with a Cubic Counter cannot attack, also negate their effects.)"
"Cubic Counters?" Spencer scowled, "Can't attack? And their effects are negated?!"
"That's right! Since I control only 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel', I'll place a Cubic Counter onto your 'Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon' and 'Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon'!" With that being said, Prana held both her hands out, "It will ensure both your monsters can't attack or use their abilities! Now, observe carefully!"
'Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon' and 'Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon' both found themselves getting covered in cubes that began to corrode their bodies, effectively turning them into statues. But the worst was far from over…
"I activate the second effect of 'Cubic Causality'!" declared Prana, as a card ('Cubic Causality') ejected from her GY and dissolved into blue dust, "I can banish this card from my GY, then target 1 'Cubic' monster I control; this turn, each time it destroys a monster by battle that has a Cubic Counter, I must inflict damage to my opponent equal to the original ATK of that destroyed monster. Naturally, I target 'Duza'."
Knowing what he was in for, Spencer could only prepare for the oncoming assault.
"Battle!" shouted Prana, entering the Battle Phase, "My first 'Constellar Pleiades' attacks 'Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon'!"
The first 'Constellar Pleiades' obeyed, raising its blade-like weapon and slashing it at 'Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon'. Rather than 'Pleiades' being destroyed by the stronger monster, however, 'Blue-Eyes Twin Burst Dragon' was instead banished without damage being applied, meaning Prana's LP remained intact.
"Due to the inherited effect from 'Constellar Caduceus', my first 'Constellar Pleiades' was able to banish your 'Twin Burst Dragon'," reminded Prana, "But… My Battle Phase is ongoing, and I'll next use 'Duza' to destroy your 'Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon'! Cubic Boost Knuckle!"
'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' obeyed, throwing a brutal punch and striking the corroded 'Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon' square in the jaw and shattering it, causing the rest of the once majestic dragon's body to explode from its destruction. Spencer could only grunt as he withstood the force of the attack and sustained very heavy damage (LP: 8000 → 4850).
"Since 'Duza' destroyed a monster with a Cubic Counter, the second effect of 'Cubic Causality' activates! You will take damage equal to 'Abyss Dragon's' original ATK!"
As Prana said all of that, the remains of the cubes from 'Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon's' body rained down upon Spencer, causing him to lose even more LP (LP: 4850 → 2350).
"It's almost over," said Prana coldly, "All it will take to defeat you is a direct attack by my second 'Constellar Pleiades'. Spencer, are you prepared for the kind of death you've earned?"
"If I were to give you a piece of criticism on your dueling," interrupted Spencer, causing Prana to become quiet, "it would be that you put in no consideration!" He smiled nastily, "Perhaps you're still a child… You should learn how to control your consciousness better…"
"What are you talking-" Prana started to say, but then stopped and said something else, "Oh no, I've fallen into a trap of sorts!"
"That's correct," confirmed Spencer, before taking a card ('Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon') from his hand and placing it back onto his Duel Disk, "If a card(s) on the field is destroyed by battle or card effect: I can Special Summon 'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon' from my GY (if it was there when the card was destroyed) or hand (even if not)," A burst of light in the middle of the field ensued, "Resurrect, 'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon'!"
Reappearing in the sky was 'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon' (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 0).
"Ngh… 'Constellar Pleiades' isn't powerful enough to defeat your monster," winced Prana, forced to enter her End Phase, "I end my turn! With that, the effects of 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' and 'Cubic Causality' expire!"
'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel's' ATK reduced slightly—yet still remained pretty high (ATK: 4400 → 3800).
"It's my turn!" roared Spencer, drawing a card.
Turn Three: Spencer Gresley (LP: 2350)
Deck: 46
Current Hand (6): "Maiden with Eyes of Blue", "Neo Kaiser Glider", "Chaos Form", "Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon", "True Light", and "Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon"
His drawn card was the 'Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon' Monster Card. Adding it into his hand, the silver-haired young man made another card ('The White Stone of Ancients') eject from his GY for a few seconds.
"I activate the second effect of the 'The White Stone of Ancients' in my GY!" As the explanation went on, the mentioned card dissolved into dust before another card ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon') ejected from the GY, which Spencer took and added into his hand, "I can banish this card from my GY, then target 1 'Blue-Eyes' monster in my GY; I must add it to my hand. I can only use this effect of 'The White Stone of Ancients' once per turn."
"If I had to guess, you've retrieved one of your 'Blue-Eyes White Dragons'," guessed Prana.
"And there's more where this came from!" continued Spencer, as he pressed a button on his Duel Disk, "Face-down card, open! Continuous Spell, 'Strength in Unity', activate!"
The Set card flipped face-up and revealed itself.
"'Strength in Unity'!" gasped Prana.
"Yes," Spencer nodded, liking how he was making a mockery of his opponent, "If I Ritual or Fusion Summon using 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' or 'Dark Magician': I can target 1 card my opponent controls or in their GY; I must banish it," He then took and held out one more card ('Chaos Form') as a large version of it rose from the ground behind him, "Ritual Spell, 'Chaos Form', activate! I must choose 1 Ritual Monster in my hand with 'Chaos' in its name, send monsters from the hand and/or my field to the GY whose total Levels equal that card's, then Special Summon that Ritual Monster. When I have 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' or 'Dark Magician' in my GY, I must Special Summon 1 Ritual Monster from my hand with 'Chaos' in its name!"
"I won't let you do it that easily!" cut in Prana angrily, "I activate the effect of my second 'Constellar Pleiades'! I'll give up its last material to return 'Strength in Unity' to your hand!"
The second 'Constellar Pleiades' gave up its final Overlay Unit to turn 'Strength in Unity' into dust before it reappeared in Spencer's hand.
"Hmph! I'm not impressed," dismissed Spencer, before taking and raising a card ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon') up, "The effect of 'Chaos Form' resolves! I Tribute the Level 8 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' from my hand!"
'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' reappeared on the field and roared as it flew into the sky while beginning to glow and evolve into a newer-looking form, all as Spencer began a Summon Chant…
"Legendary creature of destruction, awaken your hidden might with the darkness from within, and eradicate your foes!" chanted Spencer, "Ritual Summon! Appear! Level 8! 'Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon'!"
Appearing in the sky as the glowing finally ceased, was a more evolved-looking 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon', but its scales were much more white and more metallic-looking (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 0).
"Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon's' first effect!" declared Spencer, "My opponent cannot target this card with card effects, also it cannot be destroyed by my opponent's card effects. Therefore, the effect of 'Pleiades' is useless against it!"
"'Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon'…" thought Prana anxiously, before looking at her first copy of 'Constellar Pleiades', "If I use the final material attached to the first 'Pleiades' on any of Spencer's monsters, he'll be just be able to Special Summon them with 'Vision with Eyes of Blue'…" She finally spoke aloud, "I activate the effect of my first 'Constellar Pleiades'! I give up its final material to target 'Vision with Eyes of Blue' and return it to your hand!"
And just as the second 'Pleiades' had done, the first 'Pleiades' relinquished its final Overlay Unit to return the 'Vision with Eyes of Blue' Spell Card to Spencer's hand.
"Now I have to hope that Spencer doesn't have another 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' in his hand, so he won't be able to just activate it again," When those thoughts ended, Prana spoke out loud and with determination, "Spencer, you cannot escape your impending death! Do you know why? It's because now the second effect of 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' activates again, raising its ATK by 200 for each monster with a different name in my GY until the end of this turn."
Once again 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' grew bigger and stronger (ATK: 3800 → 4800). Prana relaxed, believing the worst to be over.
"How naive," The voice of Spencer insulted scornfully.
"Huh?" quizzed Prana.
"Did you honestly believe I wasn't prepared for something like this?" As he spoke, Spencer made his 'Strength in Unity' Spell Card reappear face-up on the field, "First, I'll activate 'Strength in Unity' again! And then, I'll activate its second effect!"
"S-Second effect?" cried Prana.
"I can send this face-up card from the field to the GY, then target 1 Level 7 or higher Normal Monster in my GY; I must add it to my hand or shuffle it into the Deck," The voice of Spencer explained, as the face-up 'Strength in Unity' Spell Card seemingly remained unharmed before suddenly shattering into shards of glass. Spencer then took a card ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon') and held it out to show his opponent, "With this, 'Blue-Eyes' returns to my hand once more!"
Prana appeared to be panicked over that strategy. However, Spencer was far from being finished, as he took a card ('Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon'), held it out for a moment, and then placed it onto his Duel Disk.
"And next, I'll Summon 'Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon'!" thundered Spencer.
Appearing onto the field was a metallic-looking version of 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' with see-through wings that resembled a Duel Disk (Level: 8/ATK: 2500/DEF: 2000).
"'Solid Dragon's' first effect activates!" declared Spencer, "If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: I can target 1 face-up monster my opponent controls; I must negate its effects. I'll target your 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel'!" As he announced his monster's effect name, 'Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon's' whole body started crackling with electricity, "Solid Lightning!"
With a roar, 'Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon' unleashed lightning all across the field, striking 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' and nullifying whatever effects it had activated (ATK: 4800 → 3800). Prana braced herself from the force of the attack, but recovered enough to gloat.
"That's too bad, Spencer," teased Prana, "While 'Duza's' ATK dropped, it's still much too high for any of your monsters to try and destroy!"
"Then allow me to continue building up my field," offered Spencer, before taking and holding out two familiar cards ('Blue-Eyes White Dragon' and 'Vision with Eyes of Blue'), "Once again, I'll activate the Continuous Spell, 'Vision with Eyes of Blue'! By revealing 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' in my hand, I can Special Summon a monster from my hand!"
As the mentioned Spell Card materialized face-up on the field in-front of him once again, Spencer took and held out another familiar card ('Maiden with Eyes of Blue').
"Return to me, 'Maiden with Eyes of Blue'!"
The young woman with long white hair, pure blue eyes, and a brown tribal dress reappeared on the field (Level: 1/ATK: 0/DEF: 0).
"And next, I activate the second effect of 'Vision with Eyes of Blue'! By targeting 'Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon' and returning it to my hand, I'll Special Summon 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' from my hand!"
As Spencer explained his 'Vision with Eyes of Blue' Spell Card's effect, 'Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon' dissolved into blue specks of light as it was quickly replaced by the returning 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' on the field (Level: 8/ATK: 3000/DEF: 2500). Prana flinched a little bit, and it didn't get any better when Spencer did, in fact, have one more effect to activate.
"Finally, I activate the third effect of 'Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon'!" The silver-haired young man made another card ('Blue-Eyes Abyss Dragon') eject from his GY and dissolve into blue dust, "I can banish this card from my GY; all Level 8 or higher Dragon monsters I control gain 1000 ATK!"
'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' (ATK: 3000 → 4000), 'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon' (ATK: 3000 → 4000), and 'Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon' (ATK: 3000 → 4000) all growled as they received a significant power boost.
"T-T-Three dragons with 4000 ATK?!" stammered Prana.
"Those who stand in my way will be dealt with without mercy!" boomed Spencer ruthlessly, before entering the Battle Phase, "Battle! 'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon', attack the first copy of 'Constellar Pleiades'!" As 'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon' charged a blue/white blast from its mouth, he announced his monster's attack name, "Jet Stream of Destruction!"
'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon' obeyed, unleashing its charged up attack.
"Then, I'll activate 'Jet Dragon's' third effect!" Spencer went on, "At the start of the Damage Step, if this card battles: I can target 1 card my opponent controls; I must return it to the hand," He held up his clenched right hand and swung it about, "My target will be your second copy of 'Constellar Pleiades', but it will instead return to the Extra Deck instead of your hand!"
The second copy of 'Constellar Pleiades' found itself fading away in a blue streak. Meanwhile, Jet Stream of Destruction collided with the first copy of 'Constellar Pleiades' and destroyed it in a massive explosion. Prana braced herself from the backlash of the explosion as she took a LP hit (LP: 8000 → 6500).
"And next, 'Chaos Dragon' will attack!" exclaimed Spencer, as 'Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon' to let out a roar as it started crackling with electricity, "This will activate its second effect! If this card was Ritual Summoned using a 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon', when it declares an attack: I can change the battle positions of as many monsters my opponent controls as possible, and if I do, the ATK/DEF of those changed monsters become 0, also, this turn, if this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage!"
"Both all the way to 0?!" recoiled Prana.
"Go, Chaos Lightning!"
With the order given, 'Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon' unleashed a turret of lightning from its body, similar to what 'Blue-Eyes Solid Dragon' did. This time, however, the effect forced 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' into a defensive stance as its stats both became completely depleted (ATK: 3800 → 0/DEF: 1600 → 0). 'Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon' then angrily charged its Chaos Stream of Destruction and fired it off, striking the crippled 'Duza the Meteor Cubic Vessel' and destroying it in another massive explosion, causing Prana to fall to a knee as her LP gauge nearly got depleted from the amount of piercing damage she took (LP: 6500 → 2500).
"Impossible…!" grimaced Prana, but then saw the Duel Pulse level of her opponent, "Y-You have a Duel Pulse of 19900?!" In her mind… "No wonder he's so determined to proceed forward… He really is that dangerous…!"
"Now, 'Blue-Eyes', play a requiem for this fallen fool!" shouted Spencer, as his ace monster charged its signature attack, "Burst Stream of Destruction!"
And 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' unleashed its attack, overwhelming Prana and causing her to scream in dread and defeat (LP: 2500 → 0).
DUEL RESULTS: Spencer Gresley wins!
Once the attack died down, the outside of Prana's body began to digitally disappear, revealing the identity of the same young Egyptian girl Spencer met in his room.
"Darn…" pouted the young Egyptian girl, "This avatar was cool, too…"
"Heh! I knew it was you all this time," sneered Spencer, "But now, playtime is over…!"
The young girl sighed, "I tried to stop you," she said in disappointment, "but you can't go back now… So be it."
"That I'm aware of," Spencer retorted, while in his mind… "Soon, very soon… I'll finally reunite with my lost love…"
And so, the journey through the world continued…
"We're almost there," smiled the young Egyptian girl, pointing to a light up ahead.
"Come alongside me!" Spencer commanded his monsters ('Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon', 'Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon', and 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon'), who flew alongside him "My faithful servants!" His eyes shined with eagerness, "If that is the infinite darkness over there, I shall illuminate it!"
(elsewhere…)
In the real world, some technicians, including a young woman named Ruth, had gathered around a computer in the Boxford Corp lab, where it was displaying readings that were well off the charts.
"Master Spencer!" cried Ruth, just as Skiff entered.
"What's going on?" worried Skiff.
"Master Skiff, he's in danger!" wailed Ruth, while the rest of the technicians watched the monitor, "His brainwave elevation has surpassed human limits! I fear for his life!"
Skiff gasped in horror.
(elsewhere…)
In the Duel Links world, Spencer and his three monsters all were getting closer and closer to the light. There, he could see the silhouette of a pale-skinned young woman with long white hair and bright blue-eyes.
"It's you…" whispered Spencer softly, as a reflection of the young woman was shown in his eyes, He started to reach out for her hand with his own right hand, "Here…I come… Kisara!"
Before the reincarnation of Seto could touch Kisara's hand, things started to go very wrong; 'Blue-Eyes Jet Dragon', 'Blue-Eyes Chaos Dragon', and 'Blue-Eyes White Dragon' each started to digitally vanish.
"What is…?!" gasped Spencer, before he suddenly cried out in agony.
(elsewhere…)
The alarms were going off in the lab, and Skiff, not wanting anything to happen to Spencer, turned to the nearby emergency shut down lever and pulled on it while letting out a frightened yell. When that happened, the confused duelists below the bridge removed the Neurons gear while wondering why Duel Links got shut down.
(elsewhere…)
Inside Spencer's home laboratory, the VR pod deactivated (thanks to Skiff) and opened up, revealing an extremely pained and exhausted-looking Spencer inside, sweating heavily over what almost happened to him within the Duel Links world.
"Ohhh… my aching head…" panted Spencer, bringing his shaking right hand towards the sides of his throbbing head, "Was that…a hallucination?" His mouth formed a small, somewhat insane-looking smile, "No… Hehehe… I believe…she's there… She's waiting for me…"
Uh-oh… This can't be a good sign, can it?
(elsewhere…)
Somewhere in Knapford Park at a later time…
"Hey, whatcha reading there?" The voice of a young boy echoed.
Sitting on a small pillar was the very same young Egyptian girl, and she was reading a book and not bothering anyone. A young boy with a clown-head balloon had approached her with interest.
"Huh? You mean this?" pondered the young Egyptian girl.
Unfortunately, the young boy was so distracted that he accidentally let go of his balloon, causing it to float into the sky and out of his reach. Before long, the young Egyptian girl and the young boy both were approached by another boy (a teenager).
"You were very close, Sera," The teenage boy remarked pleasantly, before kindly handing the younger boy the balloon he managed to retrieve, "I believe this is yours. Here you go."
The grateful young boy took back his balloon, but was also handed the book Sera (as she was named) had been reading.
"Here you go," offered Sera, "I'm done reading this, so it's all yours if you want it."
"Wow… Thanks!" The young boy smiled, accepting the gift before leaving, "Bye-bye!"
Sera giggled and happily waved goodbye as the young boy departed from the area, while the teenage boy looked up at the sky in wonderment. In his hands were a cube object of sorts.
"Spencer Gresley…" The teenage boy thought to himself, "He's someone we cannot get rid of that easily…"
Who were these two mysterious people? Just what exactly were their motives? And what about Spencer? Did something happen to him when he entered that light in the Duel Links world? All of that, and so much more, will be explained in Thomas's final adventure.
To be continued…
…in The Dark Side of Dimensions!
This one-shot story is an adaptation of the short, two-part Yu-Gi-Oh! manga known as "TRANSCEND GAME", and it serves as a prequel of sorts to the upcoming, final big adventure for Thomas and his friends. Coming soon (in May or so) will be an adaptation of the recent (2016 for Japan, and 2017 for everywhere else) Yu-Gi-Oh! movie "The Dark Side of Dimensions". It will be an emotional rollercoaster for our heroes as the remains of the group approach their long awaited graduation, but it will be an even bigger rollercoaster for Spencer for some pretty obvious reasons.
Once again, I hope everyone enjoys the story, and do try to stay safe in these uncertain times.
