Disclaimer: The following piece is in no way a claim to ownership of the depicted characters. Yu-Gi-Oh, Yu-Gi-Oh R, Yu-Gi-Oh GX and Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's are owned by TV Tokyo, Konami Corporation and Kazuki Takahashi. This story as presented is strictly for entertainment purposes, both for its owner and readers.
Author's Note: As of this chapter, the posting schedule is being changed from 3 days to 1 week due to lack of reader response.
Chapter 20 – At the End of the Conflict, Taiyou vs. Endymion
Within the confines of the Magician Realm's prison, Taiyou saw that the chamber they had placed him in was one harbouring a figure he thought he would never see again. Staring back at him, with red eyes on black scleras, he recognized the form of the demon whose existence had brought him nothing but misery.
"Maenou," Taiyou hissed out, looking back at the demon with a scathing remark. Its form had changed; its four fan-like wings had been replaced by two larger, bladed wings; its talons were cracked, and some broken; and its eyes were sunken. However, he still recognized the dark tan skin, rotten left face and gold face paint that marked the demon as Maenou. "I thought I destroyed you the first time!"
"Unfortunately, Taiyou, you had not," the demon replied, its dark voice stoic to the point almost of being monotone. "Your power severely weakened me, and splitting me from Armityle further intensified that process; but I was not destroyed. It is almost impossible to truly destroy a Duel Spirit, you see."
"I should have known something like this would happen," Taiyou stated angrily. "You're working with Placido and Paradox, aren't you?"
"I know neither of those two names," the demon replied. "But what I do know… is that I can now take what I wanted the first time." The demonic figure then jumped at Taiyou, who barely managed to jump backwards in time to escape before the long talons on Maenou's knuckles cut straight through his face.
"You think I'll die here, on my home soil?!"
"I know that your world is falling apart at the hands of civil discord," Maenou replied. "In the process of democracy, chaos can always be created when ideas conflict. I had no hand in it at all; but I intend to savour the results."
Suddenly, Maenou jumped at Taiyou again; this time, Taiyou's jump back was cut short when he struck the door to the structure. He could not see it in the darkness, but he knew he was trapped like a rat in a maze. Stepping slowly forward, the homicidal demon advanced slowly towards him, insanity glaring in its eyes.
Suddenly, the door to the prison swung open, bathing the inside in light and making Maenou cover his eyes. Taiyou felt himself get grabbed by the back and pulled out of the structure; and a second later he found himself outside, with Yubel standing beside him.
"Taiyou, stand back and allow me to deal with this creature," Yubel insisted before jumping into the open doorway to the structure, blacking Maenou's path. She paled before the 7-foot-tall, well-muscled form of the other demon, and his wings and talons were larger than hers, but she felt no fear as the being rushed her.
"So, you choose to defend this former mortal over siding with one of your own!" Maenou raged, swinging his arm at Yubel and forcing her to jump back slightly to dodge it.
"I was once human as well," Yubel replied. "You should have known that if you wanted to emulate me with a human host." When these words frustrated Maenou, Yubel added, "And furthermore, you were a Ka from a human soul; so technically, we are both the same kind as the humans."
"That matters not," Maenou protested, carrying an irate expression. "You and I have the power to rule, and to do as we please; yet you reduce yourself to being the lapdog of a miserable human and his friends!" In reply to this, Yubel hissed and gained an equally angered face to Maenou's. "You could be so much more… what a waste of a life."
Without warning, Maenou jumped at Yubel again, slashing through a wing she used to defend herself and leaving a gash in her chest. In retaliation, Yubel grabbed Maenou by the face with her left hand, causing a huge black of dark energy to shoot out the back of his head before she threw him back further into the darkness.
"You should be ashamed of yourself!" Yubel screamed at him, while he staggered to get to his feet. "You devoted yourself to serving the Pharaoh Atem, and to helping him preserve peace in his kingdom. That was your true cause! Now you've thrown it all away for misanthropic delusions of grandeur. What would the Pharaoh think of you now?"
Looking back with a stunned expression, Maenou realized that Yubel was right; he had abandoned his true task for the sake of power. "You can still make things right," Yubel added. "Side with us in this battle, and I will see you returned to your Pharaoh in the afterlife."
Maenou, whose face had gone from surprise to solemnity, looked back and simply replied, "Then I will indeed help you." With a nod, Yubel extended out her left arm all the way, then quickly folded it back in over her chest. In a flash, a card materialized in her hand as Maenou dissolved into darkness, entering the card and disappearing altogether.
When she stepped outside, Yubel showed to Taiyou the card she had just materialized, and he confirmed for himself that Maenou was now a true Duel Spirit. Forming the Duel Disc on her arm, Yubel placed the Maenou card on top, and then the Duel Disc sank back into her arm and she looked down at her wound.
"That's gonna leave a mark," Taiyou stated, looking at the injury with a look of pain of his own.
"Not as long as you might think," Yubel replied, touching her right hand to the right edge of the slash and moving it leftwards. As it did, the mark was erased, leaving no evidence that it was ever there, except for a feint residue of what looked like blood.
"Why have you come here?" Taiyou asked of Yubel, not being aware of the events of late. "Ands why is Judai not with you?"
"The three Demons were taken by Placido, and Judai was taken with him," she informed. "He became… detached from the group after an altercation, and went on a rogue mission with Johan and I."
"What?" The news stunned Taiyou; somehow, Placido had figured out a way to get the three Demons from her. "You didn't… lose to him, did you?"
"No, I had a win condition set up," she explained. "He abandoned the duel and sliced off my arm to take them by force."
"That cheating bastard. And I suppose you want me to help you with this task?" When Yubel nodded, he sorrowfully replied, "I would love to help you, but I'm afraid that cannot be done. There is unrest brewing here, and a Civil War is currently a real possibility."
"Not is we have anything to say about it," Norsewemko's voice suddenly issued. Turning, Yubel and Taiyou saw here there, as well as three magicians in white robes with blue Magic Counter orbs on them. "Kenshi Taiyou, you have been summoned by the Council Tribunal to face a punishment other than this confinement."
"What punishment?" he asked, clearly not surprised but not anymore accepting.
"You and your Master will be pitted against each other, with the loser being exiled," the female magician informed, producing hateful glares on the faces of both Taiyou and Yubel. "If either of you opts out, then you both face exile." Pointing her staff at Yubel, she added, "and as for you, the Council will decide if aiding a traitor warrants execution in this case."
"You don't have the authority to touch me," Yubel replied strongly. "I am the right hand of the Supreme King, who is not a part of your Magicians' race; therefore, I do not fall under your jurisdiction. Passing punishment on me violates the peace treaty issued in this world. Besides, you don't want to try."
"Are you threatening me?" Norsewemko asked, seeming very angry at Yubel's statement and apparently trying to refrain from striking her.
"No, I am promising you this: touch me, and you will not live to regret it, you bureaucratic bitch."
"Don't tempt me to harm you, half-breed," Norsewemko threatened back. "I am capable of far more than you know." Returning her attention to Taiyou, she stated, "Unless you want your Master and your pink-skinned friend here to be stoned in the coliseum, I suggest you cooperate."
"Then I guess I have no choice," Taiyou replied, seemingly defeated. With that two of the magicians came up to either side of Taiyou and grabbed his arms, so as not to let him escape. Another then grabbed Yubel, not to bind her but to keep track of her, and then the whole procession began to make their way into the city once again.
***
In the middle of a jade coliseum-like structure, Endymion stood awaiting Taiyou's arrival, thousands of Magicians in the seats and yelling either scathing remarks or supporting statements to him. He reacted to none of them, but retained his stern expression the whole time.
When Taiyou stepped into the other side of the ring, looking incredibly angry and carrying his Duel Disc, Endymion stated to him, "I am so sorry that this situation has arisen, my friend."
"Don't be," Taiyou replied. "Something had to be done. And if either of us is sent to exile, I will not give up hope. I will fight until the end."
"I expect nothing less from my best student," Endymion replied, producing his Duel Disc on his arm and activating it Taiyou then pulled his own Duel Disc onto his arm, activating it but not putting his Deck in yet.
"There are three special rules which will apply in this match," Norsewemko's voice yelled out to the crowd from a box normally reserved for Endymion. "Firstly, any attempt at stalling the match will result in immediate loss. Secondly, the duel cannot be ended in a draw; if both players' Life Points hit 0, the player who caused it is treated as the loser. Thirdly, any attempt to throw the duel for the other person is punishable by execution. Am I made clear?"
When both players, angry as they were, nodded in acceptance, Norsewemko yelled out, "You may begin!" As both players put their Decks into their Duel Discs, Norsewemko sat down in the Imperial-looking chair at the centre of the box, two robed magicians sitting on her left, the third and Yubel on her right.
When their Decks had shuffled, Both players drew five cards in a single motion and Endymion stated, "Even if this isn't by choice, we must agree for each others' sake to provide a strong, passionate duel."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
With a confident smile on Taiyou's face and a respectful one on Endymion's, the two combatants yelled, "DUEL!"
Taiyou: LP 4000
Endymion: LP 4000
"The student will take the first move!" Taiyou yelled. "Draw! I summon Magical Archer (ATK: 1800, LV: 4)!" Placing the card down on the tray, Taiyou called up a green-cloaked figure in 15th-Century clothing and carrying a bow and arrow with a Magic Counter on it, which then lit up. "I set three cards and end my turn!"
"Then it is my turn," Endymion stated. "I draw, and I activate the Field Magic, Magical City Endymion." Extending a sixth section of the tray pout, Endymion played his card and conjured up a field that resembled their city, minus the occupants. "Next I shall call upon the Crusader of Endymion (ATK: 1900, LV: 4)."
Placing the card onto a Monster Zone, Endymion called up the beige-clad, blue-armoured figure in a closed-off helmet as he reached for another card in his hand. "Next, I arm my Crusader with the Equip Magic, Halberd of Endymion." In the hands of the monster before Endymion then appeared the long recurved blade with axe-like heads, studded with Magic Counters; and as it did do, a counter appeared on the floating card for the Field.
"Due to this card my Crusader receives additional attack strength of 500 points for each Endymion Card I control; currently, I control three, so my monster gains 1500 points (ATK: 3400). Battle! Attack Magical Archer!" Jumping straight forwards, Endymion's monster swung its weapon at Taiyou's monster, which jumped up into the air as Taiyou flipped a card.
"I activate a Trap Card, Magician's Barrier – Magic Force! I remove a Magic Counter from a Magic User-Type Monster I control to destroy an opponent's Attack Position Monster for each removed Counter, and end the Battle Phase!" Reacting, the monster Taiyou controlled shot an arrow from its bow into Endymion's monster, making it explode as the counter on the other monster's bow died down.
"An impressive counter," Endymion stated, holing up the two cards which had just been destroyed. "But as you well know, the destruction of a monster equipped with Halberd of Endymion allows me to Special Summon one Level 4 or below Endymion Monster from my Cemetery in face-up Defence Position."
"That's actually a pretty clever move by the Master," Taiyou realized as Endymion inserted the Magic Card into his Cemetery. "He sprung my Trap early so he could later use his more powerful monsters without worry."
"Return, Endymion's Crusader (DEF: 1200, LV: 4)," Endymion instructed, calling back up his monster in a crouching position and over the horizontal image of its card. "Next, I too shall set 3 cards and declare the end of my turn."
"It's my turn," Taiyou declared, reaching for his Deck and pulling a card aggressively. "I Release Magical Archer and Advance Summon Magician's Destroyer (ATK: 2400, LV: 6)!" Disappearing into a neon orb, Taiyou's monster's body released the form of a large, black-armoured magician with red eyes, tan skin, white hair, massive forelimbs and a Magic Counter on the back of each.
"You saved your monster last turn so you could use it for an Advance Summon, did you?" Endymion questioned. "Such an impulsive move, but one that may work out in your favour."
"I don't do anything that won't give me leverage," Taiyou retorted, pointing his open hand at one of his two other set cards. "Permanent magic: Pitch-Black Power Stone! This card now gains 3 Magic Counters!" The image of the card then changed into a large black sphere, upon which three Magic Counter triangles appeared. "Battle! Magician's Destroyer, attack Crusader of Endymion!"
Jumping up and forwards, the larger magician landed in front of its smaller counterpart and punched it with its left hand, smashing it instantly. "Next, due to the effect of Destroyer, you receive 200 points of damage for each Magic Counter on the field!" Grunting, the monster then swung its left fist at Endymion, who jumped backwards to avoid the hit; however, this did not stop the damage.
Taiyou: LP 4000
Endymion: LP 3200
"I activate my Trap Card," Endymion declared, snapping his fingers. "Magician's Duality. In a turn when a Magician is destroyed, every time I receive effect damage, I Special Summon one Magician from my Deck whose ATK is equal to or less than my damage. Come: the Tuner Monster, Eccentric Boy (ATK: 800, LV: 3)."
With its image glowing white, the card released the form of a lanky, slender robed boy with spiky hair, red marks on its face and runic wings on his shoulders. Looking at his hand, Taiyou noted the two monsters – Black Magician and Black Magician Girl – which he could not remove; so Taiyou simply responded, "I end my turn."
"It is my turn," Endymion stated, drawing his hand and flipping it around instantly. "I activate the Magic Card, Spellbooks of the Pot." As he placed the card into his Cemetery, both he and Taiyou pulled 3 cards from their Decks and the field card gained another counter before he added, "Next, I activate my Trap Card: Mutual Destruction."
"What? No!" Taiyou thought, realizing that he had been played and that he was about to suffer for it.
"Due to this Trap Card, we both discard our hands and receive 100 points of Damage for each card we discard; then we draw 5 cards each." Growling, Taiyou slid all 5 cards in his hand into the Cemetery as Endymion calmly did the same with his. As their scores fell, they each reached for 5 new cards and pulled them.
Taiyou: LP 3500
Endymion: LP 2900
"I activate the effect of Eccentric Boy," Endymion declared, holding up a card from his hand. "I may tune this Magician to a Synchro Material Monster in my hand; but the monster's effect is negated and cannot be activated, and if it is removed from the field it is removed from play. Thus, I tune my Level 3 Eccentric Boy with the Level 6 Dark Red Enchanter in my hand."
Behind Endymion then appeared the form of the red-robed tan magician with golden staff as his other creature folded its wings up to form a circular structure. This structure released three green rings before the monster disappeared, and these rings surrounded the other monster. That monster then changed into a yellow outline, then 6 white orbs that fused into a column of light.
"From the great City of the Magicians," Endymion chanted, crossing his arms into a X-shape over his chest as he did so, "arise and join me in this fight, my greatest warrior! Synchro Summon! Appear Now, Paladin of Endymion (ATK: 3200, LV: 9)!"
Out of that light then arose a very tall, muscular magician dressed in gold and obsidian armour that was covered in purple Magic Counters. Its face was partly obscured by a battle helmet, it had a long staff much like a broadsword, a crimson cape and tunic, and an additional staff on its back.
"So this is the true nature of Master Endymion's Deck," Taiyou realized. "I was never told of this Endymion Monster. There are indeed, as I suspected, monsters which he reserves for himself."
"Next, I summon the Tuner Monster Apprentice of Endymion (ATK: 400, LV: 2)." Placing the card onto the tray, he called up a magician who much resembled Taiyou, but with more pale skin and a face hidden by shadows and an eye-mask. "Also, I activate the Magic Card Rebirth Gate, and Special Summon one Level 4 or lower Magician from my Cemetery for this turn only."
"He's going for another Synchro Summon." As Taiyou thought to himself about this, yet another Counter appeared on the Field Magic.
"Return to me again, Crusader (ATK: 1900, LV: 4)." As the monster reappeared on his field for the second time, he added, "Next I Tune my Level 2 Apprentice to my Level 4 Crusader." As Endymion crossed his arms again, his two monsters jumped up into the air, the weaker changing into 2 green rings and surrounding its counterpart. Said monster then changed into 4 white orbs, and then a column of light.
"Mighty Warrior among Magicians," Endymion chanted again, "Grace this game with your presence and take up arms. Synchro Summon! Appear now, Swordsman of Endymion (ATK: 2600, LV: 6)." Out of the light created emerged a monster in black armour, carrying a Magic Counter-studded sword and wearing a mask over its face. Standing beside its counterpart.
"I activate an Equip Magic, Impact Flip, and I equip it to Paladin," Endymion stated, producing another Counter on his field and a card behind his monster. "Now, I attack your Magician's Destroyer with Paladin of Endymion." Raising up its sword-like staff, the taller magician fired a bolt of energy at Taiyou's monster, vaporizing it on contact.
Taiyou: LP 2700
Endymion: LP 2900
"Next, I declare the direct attack of Swordsman of Endymion." The other of Endymion's Magicians then dove up into the air, then straight at Taiyou and past him, swinging his sword through the disembodied Summoner's form. Taiyou then let out a pained grunt and shook a bit before collapsing on his knees, catching Endymion off-guard.
Taiyou: LP 100
Endymion: LP 2900
Looking up at Norsewemko's box, Endymion said up to her hostilely, "What is the meaning of this?"
"There is no entertainment for the people until the blasphemer is tortured appropriately," she answered, causing shock by the two combatants and Yubel.
"Of all the twisted stunts," Yubel observed. "You're pitting those two against each other hang having them feel pain for your own sick amusement."
"This cannot continue!" Endymion yelled up. "I will not be made to harm Taiyou! I'd sooner perish than turn against my own Cavalier!"
"I wouldn't ask that, Endymion," Taiyou stated, getting back to his feet and using his left hand to hold himself up by propping it against his femur. "This is a good duel, better than anything I've experienced since passing on. I want to enjoy the extremity."
"Are you sure?" Endymion asked, legitimately surprised by such a strange statement.
"Of course I am," Taiyou answered, flipping up one of his card. "Trap Card Open: Damage Gate! I Special Summon one monster from the Cemetery whose ATK is equal to or less than my damage. Return, Skilled Black Magician (ATK: 1900, LV: 4)." All of a sudden a card slipped from Taiyou's Cemetery and he held it up, creating a magician in very black robes and with three purple orbs along its chest.
"Then I activate the effect of Swordsman," Endymion stated. "Because my monster inflicted damage with another Endymion card in play, I destroy an opponent's Magic or Trap Card. I select your stone." All of a sudden the black sphere exploded, causing three new Counters to appear on the city.
"Also, since the monster equipped with Impact Flip destroyed a monster in battle, your top card is sent to the Cemetery." Pulling a card from his Deck, Taiyou immediately deposited said card into his Cemetery. "I set one card and declare my turn over."
"Then I draw!" Taiyou yelled, pulling a card from his Deck. "I set one card, and I activate Blasting Vein!" As he held up the card and it appeared in front of him, he stated, "Next I chain Emergency Rations! By sending Blasting Vein to the Cemetery, I recover 1000 Life Points; then, due to Blasting Vein, I destroy my set card and draw 2 cards."
As the third bard appeared, the second one faded out and the first one exploded, causing Taiyou to pull 2 cards, 2 Counters to appear on Endymion's Field, 2 orbs on Taiyou's monster to light up, and his Life Points to increase.
Taiyou: LP 1100
Endymion: LP 2900
"Magic Activate: Emblem of Dragon Destroyer!" Taiyou declared, reaching for his Deck. "I add Buster Blader to my hand." When he grabbed the card he had named from his Deck, the third orb on his monster lit up and Taiyou reached for his Cemetery. "Next, because three counters are on my monster, I release it and revive my Black Magician (ATK: 2500, LV: 7)!"
With his monster exploding, Taiyou grabbed a card as it slid from his Cemetery and slammed it into his tray, calling up his tan-skinned magician in red armour and with white hair. "Now here's the fun part," Taiyou added, smiling as he held up two cards in his hand, "I fuse Buster Blader and Black Magician!"
The magician before Taiyou jumped up into a swirling vortex, where it was joined by a hulking warrior in dark purple armour and carrying a massive broadsword. The two monsters then spiralled together as Taiyou chanted, "When the sword and the spell join forces, a new power is awakened to shake the earth and cast out all darkness. Fusion Summon! Come forth: Super Magical Swordsman – Black Paladin (ATK: 2900, LV: 8)!"
From the vortex then appeared a brand new monster; one clad in dark green armoured robes covered in dark blue Magic Counters. Its staff was much like a many-curved blade, its white hair and bluish skin stuck out from its curved helm, and its piercing eyes look at Endymion with total stoicism. "Equip Magic: Magic Absorbing Sabre!"
The blade of the Magician before Taiyou was then changed into a longer, hook-ended one with several Magic Counter orbs on it. "Now for the fun part: I activate Magic Seize as well, so I place upon this card two magic counters and add a new one to my hand. For each counter, the equipped monster gains 1000 ATK (ATK: 4900)."
As he grabbed the card from his Deck, Taiyou's monster lit up 2 orbs on its staff and raised its power; then Taiyou added another card. "Magic Activate: Diffusion Wave-Motion! By paying 1000 Life Points, I allow my Paladin (ATK: 5900) to attack every monster you control!"
"What?" Endymion asked, showing for a rare occasion true shock and awe, his red hair flying back as he looked on at Taiyou. "With those attack points…"
"Exactly," Taiyou stated, giving off a confident face. Moments later, though, he looked down at his Duel Disc in a lamenting way and thought, "Of course, my winning means exile for my friend and master."
Closing his eyes, Taiyou thought back to some of the battles he had taken part in, from his duels with Kyojo to his experiences with the Duel Mob, and the life-or-death matches against Crimson and Maenou. "With every match I've fought, it's been for the good of myself and my friends; but now, I'm fighting so avoid being sent away by my own people, and doing so means selling out my mentor.
"If I can ever truly take part in the battle with Placido, the battle with Paradox, the civil war, I need to know who I am. I have a warrior's iron will, strength and resolve; but now I find myself questioning my own motives, wondering where I went wrong. How can I fight my enemies when I'm caught in the conflict with my own tribe?"
Taiyou was then awakened from his thoughts by Endymion's voice stating across the field, "Do not hold back, Taiyou. You can continue on in my absence; but that only applies if you are willing to fight. I won't hold it against you to defeat me; I'd be proud, that my best student had the valour to stand against me for what he believes in."
Realizing the weight of these words, Taiyou clenched his hand into a fist, which he then pointed at Endymion as he yelled, "As long as I live, as long as I exist, I will never back down. With Black Paladin by my side, there is no lack of resolve. Battle!"
Jumping up into the air, Taiyou's magician twirled his blade around for several seconds before pointing it at Endymion's monsters before several shockwaves shot from it, hurtling straight towards them. But then, Endymion flipped his set card and declared, "I activate Magician's Barrier. During this turn, because I control a Magician, all my damage goes to 0!"
As the shockwaves struck through the monster and caused then to explode, Endymion raised his hand defiantly and created a dome over himself, meaning his Life Points went untouched.
Taiyou: LP 100
Endymion: LP 2900
"When the Equip Magic Impact Flip is sent to the Cemetery, both players draw a card. But before that, I chain Magic Textbooks!" Flipping his Instant Magic Card, Endymion inserted the one card in his hand into the Cemetery as Taiyou looked on in contemplation. Deciding not to negate the effect, he watched as Endymion pulled a card for his Deck, and then gasped when he spun it around.
"I activate Treasures of Heaven, and give us both a fresh hand of 6 cards; plus, Impact Flip's effect, which brings our hands to 7 cards." With that Endymion pulled 7 new cards from his Deck; Taiyou, who was not regretting his move, pulled 6 new cards from his Deck to make a full hand before reaching for another card.
"Due to your Magic Cards, I now have 5 Counters on my Sabre," Taiyou explained. "Thus, I send it to the Cemetery to activate Magic Rejuvenation, and draw 2 cards." As the card on his Magician disappeared, its blade reverted to normal and he pulled 2 new cards; then, he took them and 3 other cards and set them. "I end my turn."
"Then I draw," Endymion stated before pointing up at the card for his Field. "Thanks to all the Magic Cards this game, the Magical City Endymion has collected 17 Magic Counters in all. By removing 6 of them, I may now Special Summon… myself, the Divine Magician Deity – Endymion (ATK: 2700, LV: 7)!"
As everyone in the arena, including Taiyou, looked on in total surprise, 6 of the 17 orbs left the card and merged together on the ground, creating a vertical column of light that released a monster identical to its user, minus the Duel Disc and with its staff in its hand rather than slung on its back.
"Due to this monster's effect, I add Halberd of Endymion back to my hand," Endymion reminded, the card sliding from his Cemetery slot and him grabbing it before holding up another card. "Next, I discard the Magic Card, magic Formula, and I destroy your Paladin!"
"Counter Trap: Phantom of Darkness!" Taiyou declared, flipping up his first card. "I negate an opponent's card effect targeting a DARK Monster I control, and I destroy said card!" Lightning then shot from the card beside Taiyou, striking the Magician which Endymion had summoned and exploding it while he threw his card into the Cemetery.
"Very well," Endymion replied nonchalantly. "I activate the Magic Card, Dark Allure, and I draw 2 cards." "If Taiyou summoned that monster for the reason I think he did, he'll try and negate this card; I can keep taxing his hand until it's empty, and then I'll have him."
"If you thought I'd negate that card, you've underestimated me, Master," Taiyou responded. "Trap Card Open: Spirit's Mirror! I negate the effect of Allure and use it as my own card!" Endymion then threw his card into the Cemetery as the reflection of it appeared in the mirror on the card's art; but when Taiyou drew his cards, he looked at them in shock.
"I... I can't believe this. There are no DARK Monsters in this hand; there are no monsters at all!" Growling in anger, he took the five cards in his hand and put them into the Cemetery, the card which had caused this disappearing. Looking back at him, Endymion smiled confidently, creating an unusual reversal of roles.
"How interesting," he observed. "Rather than just negate my card by discarding, and being done with it, you gambled and lost your whole hand. Now, your Paladin cannot negate my magic cards. But first, I again remove 6 Magic Counters to resurrect my Magician Deity (ATK: 2700, LV: 7)."
At that moment, six more of the orbs from the card shot off the card for the field to bring back the magician who had just been destroyed; then, another card was produced from Endymion's Cemetery. "Next, due to my monster's effect, I once again add a Magic Card from my Cemetery to my hand; this time, my selection is Magic Formula."
"That's an odd card to add back to his hand," Taiyou realized. "What is he planning?"
"I equip Halberd of Endymion to my Magician Deity, and since I control 4 Endymion cards he gains 2000 more ATK (ATK: 4700). Now, I attack Black Paladin with Endymion!" With that the magician's staff changed to adopt the bladed weapon and charged Taiyou's monster; at that time, Taiyou flipped a card.
"Permanent Trap Open: Samsara Dogma!" He declared, showing off his card. "I now change the type of all monsters in both Cemeteries to one of my choosing, and I select…"
"I'm afraid not!" Endymion interrupted, holding up a card from his hand. "I activate the Instant Magic Card, Instant Freeze! I change an opponent's Trap Card back to reverse position, and lock it as such until my third End Phase!" Suddenly, a beam shot from Endymion's card that struck Taiyou's Trap Card, causing it to flip back over.
"You're too predictable my apprentice," Endymion taunted. "Your aim was to change all our monsters into Dragons, so your Paladin would grow stronger than my monster; however, now your card is sealed."
"Maybe, but I can still fight back," Taiyou shot out. "Instant Magic: Shrink! I select 1 face-up monster, and I halve its ATK. And the monster I choose is… Endymion!"
"I am sorry, but once again you have failed," Endymion stated. "Instant Magic: Magic Reflection! I change the target of your Instant Magic from my Endymion to your Paladin, halving its already lower points (ATK: 1450)!" As soon as Endymion threw out this card, the green-ish magician was surrounded by a red aura as its powers were drained, Taiyou looking on in total dismay.
"You seem so eager to trump me," Taiyou observed. "I see that the pressure of the bureaucrats has finally gotten to you."
"No such thing is true," Endymion clarified. "I want to make sure you are strong enough to fight if I am not with you. One of us must be gone; it's best it be the weaker."
"I hate to think you'd be weak, master," Taiyou sneered, "but I've still got one card up my sleeve. Last Reverse Card Open: Trap Card, Force of the Divine Magician!" By paying half my Life Points when my weaker Magician battles an opponent's monster, I remove all Counters from the Magical City Endymion to add 500 Points to my monster for each one until this turn's End Phase!"
"You what?" Endymion questioned, completely stunned. He then watched as every one of the eight built-up Counters left the card, flying towards Taiyou's monster and dissolving into it. Then, its power increased (ATK: 5450) and it jumped up into the air, raising its blade.
"I'm sorry Master," Taiyou stated, "but you've brought this on yourself! Black Paladin, destroy the Divine Magician Deity!" Letting out a battle cry, the monster swung its weapon and cleaved the black-clad magician cleanly in two, causing the halves to explode while the victor descended and Endymion looked on in awe.
Taiyou: LP 50
Endymion: LP 2150
"It's over, Endymion," Taiyou observed flatly. "Your City is stricken of all Counters, leaving you no hope of resurrecting your monster, and that means nothing you control can stop my monster now!"
"I still have the ability to fight, Taiyou," Endymion reminded, "and so I will continue. Due to my Halberd, I Special Summon my Crusader in Defence Position again (DEF: 1200, LV: 4)." Once again the horizontal card image of the monster appeared right before that Magician reappeared, crouching. "I set one card and end my turn."
"Then in the End Phase, Black Paladin's power returns to normal (ATK: 2900)."
"Then it no longer has the attack strength to attack and wipe out my Life Points," Endymion observed. "By next turn, I will defeat you unless you can bring me down now."
"Then I draw!" Taiyou declared, pulling his card and turning it around in a flash. "I activate Avarice Pot! With this, I return Black Magician, Buster Blader, Skilled Black Magician, Magical Archer and Magician's Destroyer to my Deck!" His Cemetery glowing, the five mentioned cards shot out from Taiyou's Cemetery and he grabbed them, shuffling them and pulling two new cards.
"I activate the Instant Magic, Cyclone!" Placing the card onto the tray, Taiyou generated a whirlwind that shot from said card and struck Endymion's set card, shattering it. Smiling, Endymion then took the card from his Duel Disc and placed it into the Cemetery.
Looking at his last card, Taiyou the said, "I'm terribly sorry, Master, that events have led to this. Everything has become a tangled mess of chaos; allies being turned against each other, enemies around every corner. I only hope that nothing here will interfere with you and I being brothers in arms."
"Show me what you have," Endymion challenged, causing Taiyou to flip around the remaining card in his hand.
"I activate Magician's Guild! For each Magician on the field, the equipped monster gains 500 ATK and DEF!" Starting to glow purple, an aura formed around Taiyou's Magician, causing its power to rise (ATK: 4400) and prompting it to raise its weapon. "Battle!"
As he said these words, his monster jumped forward and swung its weapon, slashing straight through the body of Endymion's monster and making it explode. There then erupted a shockwave that kicked up a huge cloud of dust; and when it faded, Endymion stood there with his head bowed.
Taiyou: LP 50
Endymion: LP 0
As the Solid Vision died down, Taiyou walked over towards Endymion, his Duel Disc deactivating as he did so. When he got there, Taiyou said to his Master, "What now?"
"Now, I must face my fate," was the stoic reply as the Magician looked up to the sky. As he did, Norsewemko stood in her box and looked down at Endymion, smirking.
"Then the duel is over," the female magician declared. "With Endymion as the loser, he is by the rules of this competition subject to exile."
"Yes, I will leave," Endymion stated, stoically. "But, I will not go alone." When Norsewemko gasped at this, Endymion turned to the crowd and yelled, "My brethren of the Dominion of Beasts, I appeal to you one last time as your Chancellor and ask you to look into your hearts."
"What are you doing?" Norsewemko barked, Endymion ignoring her as Yubel smiled and disappeared from beside her, only to reappear beside Taiyou.
"If you believe that Norsewemko is right, that my Leadership is a failure and this world's harm is my fault, then side with her and believe what you will; but if you believe, as I do, that this is a lie and that justice should be served for this world, then I beseech you to join me in my fight."
After he said these words, all of the Magicians among the seats of the Coliseum stood up, all of them chattering in some way. Many were arguing and yelling at Endymion, while others still were yelling allegiance to Endymion. It was at this time, seeing this large commotion, that Taiyou finally spoke up and yelled out.
"If Norsewemko thinks she can simply take from us our right to choose a leader, then we shall not back down. We shall fight her for that right; and if that means war, then so be it!" Just then, several members of the procession raised their fists in a defiant yell, and then they began to descend upon the floor to join with the two Magicians.
"We will not have our society taken from us by the bureaucracies of this world!" one of the Magicians, namely Breaker, shouted out. "Come as it may, this war will decide our freedoms!"
"Freedom can no longer be expected," another Magician, namely Black Magician of Chaos, a black-clad magician with red straps and a ram-horn-like headdress, welled out defiantly. "It must be guaranteed in battle!"
By the time everyone had made their way to the floor of the Coliseum, there was a collaboration of roughly 1000 Magicians, all ready to fight for what they believed in. Standing and chanting in protest, they looked up at Norsewemko with their angry and determined faces and the woman Magician simply grimaced, disgusted at such rebellion within an otherwise-peaceful society.
Turning to Yubel, Taiyou looked to her and said regretfully, "I am sorry, my dear friend; you know how much I wish I could help you, and it pains me to know what is happening. However, I must fight for my people before I can fight for my friends; but fear not, because once this mess is over, I will be there to fight alongside the Signers."
"I understand," Yubel replied with a bittersweet smile. "I will return and await your arrival. And, I wish you the bets of luck." With that Yubel simply faded out, leaving Taiyou only surrounded by the Magicians; and then he rejoined the protest.
"This bureaucracy has brought nothing but frustration and segregation to our people," Taiyou declared, adding to the folly already taking place. "The time is now to remove it, and return to a proper sovereignty free of political hierarchy!" As he spoke, all the Magicians around him cheered and roared, while the few remaining Magicians among the stands ran for the exits, hoping to get to safety.
"It's too late to hide behind political red tape now," Endymion stated up to Norsewemko smugly, further irritating the woman. "This war is going to happen, and it is up to you how many lives are lost for the sake of insane ambition."
"I will not fall to Frail Archaic Wizards and half-breeds," Norsewemko then shot back. "You will fall, and I will claim what is mine!"
Card of the Week – Taiyou
Super Magical Swordsman – Black Paladin
Type: DARK
Level: 8
Family: [Machine/Fusion/Effect]
Effect: "Black Magician" + "Buster Blader"
This card cannot be Special Summoned outside of a Fusion Summon. Activate by discarding one card from your hand. Negate the activation and effect of a Magic Card and destroy it. Also, increase this card's ATK by 500 Points for each Dragon-Type Monster on the field and in both Cemeteries.
ATK/ 2900
DEF/ 2400
*Things are starting to take a strange new turn. Just wait and see. Review if you wish.*