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.
Chapter 22 – Accel beyond the Boundaries! Yusei vs. Dark Glass, Accel Synchro Monster
Back along the main Duel Highway of Neo Domino, Yusei had once again pulled ahead of Dark Glass so they could complete a second Riding Duel, preferably one without any interruptions. With Jack and Crow back in toe to loom out for interlopers, Yusei and Dark Glass once again drew their hands and prepared for battle.
Yusei: LP 4000
Dark Glass: LP 4000
"It's my turn," Yusei routinely informed, pulling his sixth card and immediately slapping it down. "I Summon Shield Wing in Defence Position (DEF: 900, LV: 2)!" With that done, Yusei's green bird-like monster with massive wings appeared and folded its wings up, turning blue as it took its placement. "Then, I set 2 cards and end my turn."
"Then it's my turn (Yusei: 1 SPC/Dark Glass: 1 SPC)," Dark Glass responded, pulling his new card and then grabbing one already in his hand. "I Special Summon Tech Genus – Striker WA-02 (ATK: 800, LV: 2)!" When his card hit the tray, he then called up a blue-armoured warrior with some mechanical features and an automatic weapon in hand. "If there are no cards on my field, then I may Special Summon this card from my hand."
"A Special Summon for the first move again?" Yusei pondered. "Your Deck is all about speed; without that, it has no momentum."
"Well-put," Dark Glass responded. "Now, because I Special Summoned a Level 4 or lower Text Genus Monster, I Special Summon Tech Genus – Werewolf BW-03 (ATK: 1200, LV: 3)!" In a separate vortex, there appeared a large, dark-furred wolf-like humanoid with a mechanical arm and a mechanical leg, who more some clothing.
"I Tune my Level 2 Striker and my Level 3 Werewolf!" Dark Glass yelled, his warrior changing into 2 white orbs that became green rings. Leaping forward, the other monster growled as it was changed into a yellow outline that released 3 new white orbs, becoming a column of light. "Synchro Summon! Appear now, Tech Genus – Power Gladiator WAX-1000 (ATK: 2300, LV: 4)!"
Out of the light then emerged his green-armoured monster that bore a power-axe and a shield, a monster which showed its eagerness for battle strongly. "Next, I activate the effect of Tech Genus – Blast Lizard RE-03: by decreasing the Level of my monster by 2 (LV: 3), I may Special Summon this monster from my hand (ATK: 500, LV: 3)!"
Showing the card, Dark Glass called up his bionic reptilian warrior from a new vortex; then, he held up a fourth card. "Furthermore, I Summon Tech Genus – Synchronic Demon FE-04 (ATK: 1500, LV: 4)!" The fourth monster presented itself as a black-skinned, red-eyes monster with metal limbs covered in spikes and with six demon horns on its head.
"If this card is used for a Synchro Summon, it must be for a Tech Genus Monster. However, that's what I run: I tune my Synchronic Demon to my Level 3 Blast Lizard!" With a low guttural growl, the new monster's limbs changed into 4 green rings before the monster itself disappeared; these rings surrounded the reptilian monster, changing it into 3 white orbs and then a beam of white.
"Synchro Summon! Emerge, Tech Genus – Demon Master FEX-1000 (ATK: 2600, LV: 7)!" From that light there then appeared a four-winged demonic monster with massive claws, a visor for a face and black metal over its entire form. "Now, I attack Shield Wing with Power Gladiator!" Jumping forward, the monster swung its axe at Yusei's winged creature, creating some shock to Yusei but leaving his monster intact.
"Up to twice per turn," Yusei now informed, "Shield Wing will not be destroyed in battle. I still take your penetration damage, but I will not lose my monster"
"That may be true," Dark Glass replied, "but due to Demon Master's effect, all Tech Genus Monsters inflict 500 points of damage when they attack!" shocked to hear this, Yusei saw black electricity shoot up from his console, giving him a bit of a shock.
Yusei: LP 2100
Dark Glass: LP 4000
"Now I attack with Demon Master!" Dark Glass informed, his other monster shooting black electricity that skipped past Yusei's monster and struck him, making his D-Wheel jerk a little bit from side to side.
Yusei: LP 1600
Dark Glass: LP 4000
"I set one card and end my turn," Dark Glass informed. "There's nothing left to do Yusei. Unless your hand is better, your time is just about up."
"He's right," Yusei said under his breath. "He can Accel Synchro Summon his Blade Gunner again, and then I'll be out of luck." Reaching for his Deck he then yelled, "It's my turn! Draw (Yusei: 2 SPC/Dark Glass: 2 SPC)!" When he pulled his card, he saw something infinitely better than last time. "I activate the Speed Spell – Angel Baton!"
Pulling the two cards from his Deck, Yusei immediately took one and threw it into his Cemetery; then he took a second card and said, "I Summon Debris Dragon (ATK: 1000, LV: 4)!" With his card into play, Yusei called up his white dragon with some green armour, orange orbs and three horns and yelled, "Next, due to this monster's effect, I Special Summon Bicler from my Cemetery (ATK: 200, LV: 2)!"
When this resolved, Yusei's monster emerged as the small, square yellow and blue monster with handlebar arms, 2 wheels and headlights; then Yusei yelled, "I Tune my Level 4 Debris Dragon to my Level 2 Bicler and Level 2 Shield Wing!" Jumping up into the air, Yusei's dragon monster became four green rings that surrounded his other two monsters, turning tjem into a total of 4 white orbs and fusing them into light.
"The clustering hopes will become a new shining star," Yusei chanted as his light converged into a single sphere, then burst into sparkles. "Become that path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Stardust Dragon (ATK: 2500, LV: 8)!" From that stardust then materialized the physical form of Yusei's Signer Dragon, flapping its wings and flexing its arms while it screeched loudly.
"So you've decided to summon your Ace Monster against me?" Dark Glass observed, clearly amused. "I'm flattered at such a gesture. I simply cannot wait to see its power up close. Especially… against the power of my Accel Synchro Monster!" Revving his engine, Dark Glass once again accelerated to the same massive speed as the last duel, he and his monsters both disappearing.
"Here it comes!" Jack said aloud thirty seconds later, he and Crow both veering to opposite sides as the huge mass of air created rushed past them and changed back into Dark Glass. As Yusei's monitor showed, Dark Glass' Accel Synchro Monster had once again appeared (ATK: 3300, LV: 1), pointing its weapon at Yusei's roaring Dragon.
"If you're interested in seeing Stardust's power," Yusei stated, "then allow me to show you. Trap Card Open: Half Straight! By halving Stardust Dragon's ATK for this turn (ATK: 1250), it may declare a direct attack this turn if my opponent controls only stronger monsters. Go, Shooting Sonic!"
Roaring back its head, Yusei's dragon then shot up to a massive height in the air, firing a blast of white energy right by Dark Glass' monster and striking him dead centre. The impact caused him to duck, as he grunted in what could only be interpreted as pain.
"Next, I activate my Permanent Trap: Synchro Blast!" Yusei declared, his card appearing and facing dark Glass' D-Wheel ahead of him. "Each time my Synchro Monster attacks, my opponent receives 500 points of damage!" With that a beam of energy shot 0off the card, striking Dark Glass' D-Wheel and making him swerve.
Yusei: LP 1600
Dark Glass: LP 2250
"Alright!" Crow yelled, raising his fist. "Yuse managed to strip away almost half that guy's Life Points in one attack."
"Do not become overconfident yet," Jack warned. "There could still be some serious occurrences coming up!"
"Right," Crow acknowledged, getting a hold of himself.
"I set two cards," Yusei said, placing the last of his hand into Magic and Trap Zones. "In my End Phase, Stardust's ATK returns to normal (ATK: 2500). This time Dark Glass, there will be a proper battle worth fighting until the end! It's your turn!"
"Very well," Dark Glass replied, reaching for his Deck. "Draw (Yusei: 3 SPC/Dark Glass: 3 SPC)! Battle! Tech Genus – Blade Gunner MAXX-10000, attack Stardust Dragon!" Rushing forward, the monster raised its gun to Yusei's Dragon and fired shots at it, prompting Yusei to respond by flipping a card.
"Trap Card Open: Power Frame! I prevent Stardust Dragon from being destroyed by this battle!" With the card flipped up, the dragon folded its wings over itself to stop the bullets from damaging it; then, when the monster brought its sword down upon the dragon, there was no effect other than Yusei flinching in pain.
Yusei: LP 800
Dark Glass: LP 2250
"And after the battle," Yusei explained, his dragon unfurling its wings and being surrounded by a web-like metal structure, "the Power Frame equips to Stardust and adds the difference in Attack Strength to the equipped monster; thus, my attack power is on par with Blade Gunner (ATK: 3300)."
"The same high Attack Strength as my Blade Gunner?" Dark Glass questioned, looking at the situation with a surprised expression. "Then I set one card and end my turn!"
"Draw (Yusei: 4 SPC/Dark Glass: 4 SPC)!" Yusei yelled, pulling his card and turning it around instantly. "I Summon Second Booster (ATK: 1000, LV: 3)!" When he placed the card onto the tray, he called up a monster whose body was the form of a black plane with twin jet engines, revving them.
"Next, I activate Booster's effect!" Yusei declared. "By sending Second Booster to the Cemetery, I add 1500 Points to the Attack Strength of Stardust Dragon (ATK: 4800)!" The black metal monster then dissolved into energy and flowed into the Dragon, causing Jet Engines to appear on the dragon's wings and metal armour appearing on its chest and wings.
"So, Stardust Dragon, attack his Blade Gunner! Shooting Sonic!" Jumping up into the air, Yusei's monster fired its blast of energy at the opposing monster; causing it to explode instantly and making Dark Glass cover his face. "And next, the effect of Synchro Blast!" Before Dark Glass could even react, the Trap Card once again shot a beam of energy at him and struck him hard, actually making his path sway.
Yusei: LP 800
Dark Glass: LP 250
"When Blade Gunner is destroyed," Dark Glass informed, "I may draw 2 cards!" AS he reached for the cards in his Deck, he pulled them sharply; but was surprised to see Yusei flip a card as well."
"I activate the Trap Card, Powered Destiny!" Yusei exclaimed. "When my opponent draws cards from an effect, I draw 2 cards of my own." With that Yusei also snapped up two cards from his Deck; then, he jammed them into the slot and declared, "I set 2 card and end my turn. Thus, in my End Phase, Stardust's ATK returns to normal (ATK: 2500)."
"Draw!" Dark Glass yelled as Yusei's monster lost its web-like frame and its metal (Yusei: 5 SPC/Dark Glass: 5 SPC). "I activate the Speed Spell – Angel Baton!" Holding up the card, Dark Glass then pulled two new cards from his Deck before adding, "I now send Tech Genus – Power Booster MA-01 to the Cemetery."
When he had inserted the card into the Cemetery he yelled, "Trap Card Open: Boosting Resurrection! I Special Summon Tech Genus – Striker WA-02 from my Cemetery with one more Level and 100 more ATK and DEF (ATK: 900, LV: 3)!"
With a flash of light, said monster then reappeared and took up its place beside Dark Glass as the man held up another card. "Next, I Special Summon Tech Genus – Power Booster MA-01 (ATK: 0, LV: 1)!"
"That's the card you discarded!" Yusei yelled out in disbelief, Jack and Crow's faces mirroring his own confusion as a monster resembling an engine with cannon-like arms and a scanner for a face appeared.
"When a Tech Genus Monster is Special Summoned from my Cemetery, I may resurrect this monster one time only!" When Dark Glass had called out his monster and having placed it on the tray, he then pointed to his other card.
"Trap Card Open: Undying Class! By releasing 2 monsters, I Special Summon Blade Gunner from my Cemetery (ATK: 3300, LV: 10)!" With a flash both of Dark Glass' monsters disappeared and his larger, green machine monster returned to play with its weapon pointed at Yusei. Said duellist looked back with an expression of terror while Crow and Jack also looked slightly unnerved.
"This is the last turn!" Dark Glass yelled. "I activate the Speed Spell – Half Seize: thus, I halve Stardust's ATK (ATK: 1250) and add the result to my Life Points!" Dark Glass then watched as Yusei's monster was struck by this effect, weakening it while his Life Points grew.
Yusei: LP 800
Dark Glass: LP 1500
"Let's get this show under way!" Dark Glass yelled. "Battle! Go Blade Gunner, strike down Stardust Dragon!" Jumping forward at high speed, the monster once again began to fire off rounds at Yusei's dragon, which once again closed its wings in front of itself,
"Trap Card Open!" Yusei declared. "Super Enriching Supplement Z! Because I'm taking more than 2000 Battle Damage, I recover 4000 Life Points before any damage is dealt!" Watching angrily, Dark Glass saw his monster swing at Yusei's Dragon; but instead of destroying it, it actually caused Yusei's Life Points to climb.
Yusei: LP 2750
Dark Glass: LP 1500
"Next, due to the effect of Power Frame," Yusei reminded, the metal web reappearing around his dragon as it opened its wings, "my monster's points increase to equal yours (ATK: 3300)!"
"You may think you've dodged a bullet, Yusei," Dark Glass threatened, "but you've simply set the stage for your defeat. Instant Magic: Speed Spell – Sonic Ambush!" With that all three people besides Dark Glass looked on in fear as he explained, "With my Speed Counters at 5, I may activate one Trap Card from my hand this turn. I activate the Trap Card, Synchro Halo!"
Looking on in fear, Yusei realized what was going on as Dark Glass explained, "Because my monster failed to destroy yours, I double its power (ATK: 6600) and allow to another strike at your monster! Go, Blade Gunner! Finish this!" Still in position, the monster then swung its blade at Yusei's Dragon again, everyone looking on with a stunned look.
"No!" Crow yelled. "That Trap Card is only good once per turn!"
"That doesn't matter," Jack countered. "If this attack goes through, the Battle Damage will defeat Yusei!"
"Trap Card Open!" Yusei managed to yell out, just before the blade came swinging down upon his dragon, creating an explosion. Smoke then covered the field where this had taken place, and Dark Glass smirked thinking he had won. However, this changed to surprise when he saw Yusei was still riding, his Dragon still there and a new monster by his side.
"I activated Stardust Barrier," Yusei informed. "With this card's effect, I reduced the battle damage by half from Stardust Dragon battling and prevented its destruction; then, I Special Summoned Stardust Xiaolong from my Deck (DEF: 100, LV: 1)." The crouching monster beside Yusei was revealed as a small, serpentine dragon with a face like his larger one, black talons, an orange mane and a fur-tipped tail.
Yusei: LP 1100
Dark Glass: LP 1500
"So, you managed to survive battle this attack by reducing your damage," Dark Glass observed. "This is certainly a good duel, better than I think I've ever experienced; but there's nothing left to be done. I set one card In the End Phase, Tech Genus – Blade Gunner MAXX-10000 is changed to Defence Position and cannot change back next turn (DEF: 2200)."
With this said, Yusei watched as the monster took up a crouching stance beside Dark Glass and heard him say. "I end my turn."
"Then I draw (Yusei: 6 SPC/Dark Glass: 6 SPC)," Yusei yelled out, pulling his card and seeing something that was not a monster.
"Trap Card Open: Threatening Roar!" Dark Glass yelled, flipping a card that produced a shockwave. "You cannot declare an attack this turn."
"Then I set one card and end my turn," Yusei replied, placing his only card in hand onto the tray.
"It's my turn (Yusei: 7 SPC/Dark Glass: 7 SPC)," Dark Glass stated, immediately pointing to his Speed Counters. "I remove 7 Speed Counters from my Speed World 2 and draw one card." When his Speed Counters were gone (Yusei: 7 SPC/Dark Glass: 0 SPC), he pulled his card and looked at it, seeing nothing offensive but plenty of defensive options.
"I set 2 cards and end my turn. This is the deciding turn Yusei! If you cannot defeat me this turn, there will be no future for you!"
"Then I will do my best to defeat you!" Yusei yelled. "I owe you that as a true Duellist!" When he reached for his Deck, he grabbed the card quickly and yelled, "Draw (Yusei: 8 SPC/Dark Glass: 1 SPC)!" Showing the card to Dark Glass, he added. "Speed Spell – Power Draw! When my Speed Counters are at 8, both players draw 3 cards."
As Dark Glass reached for his own Deck to pull his cards, Yusei looked down at his own Deck and put his hand on it. He heard the sound of his own heartbeat start echoing in his head as he closed his eyes, focusing on his Deck.
"There is only one card in my Deck that can bring me the victory I need; but if I cannot draw it now, there's no hope of victory. I need to draw it... I must draw it... I will draw it!" When very soon he saw five visions of the glowing Signer Birthmarks in sync with his heartbeat, then a sixth vision of the combined mark, he snapped his eyes open and drew his cards, holding them to the sky.
"Draw!" he then yelled out, slamming one of the cards onto the tray instantly. "I Summon Salvation Dragon – Saviour Dragon (ATK: 0, LV: 1)!" With that done, he called up the small teardrop-shaped red dragon with bladed wings, causing Dark Glass to look on in complete shock and awe.
"That monster…" he said, smiling as he looked at it with reverence.
"If you are going to fight with Accel Synchro Monsters," Yusei declared, "then I shall combine Synchro Monsters as well. I Tune my Level 1 Saviour Dragon to my Level 8 Stardust Dragon and Level 1 Stardust Xiaolong!" All three monsters then rose up into the sky, the red monster becoming gigantic as it consumed the other two, changing them into 9 white orbs.
"The shine of the clustering stars will illuminate a new miracle," Yusei chanted, his monster bursting into light. "Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon!" All of a sudden Yusei was consumed by blue light and found himself in his sparkling rainbow field as he added, "Descend down in light, Saviour Star Dragon (ATK: 3800, LV: 10)!"
With that the light burst out and revealed the warship-sized four-winged glowing dragon, who moved overtop of the duelling field and circled it to keep in place at its supersonic speed. "That's an amazing monster," Dark Glass observed, thinking of his opponent in a whole new light. "I've never seen anything like it."
"Saviour Star Dragon can negate the effect of an opponent's monster once per turn," Yusei revealed, "and during this turn it may activate that effect once. Sublimation Drain!" Looking on in awe, Dark Glass watched as his monster burst out into a white glowing aura, with streams of energy which flowed off of it and into Yusei's Dragon.
"With your monster's effect negated, I activate the Speed Spell – Striker Mode!" Yusei declared, holding up the card within his world while it appeared on Dark Glass' screen. "With this, I may change all opposing monsters to Attack Position, and my monster then gains 500 ATK for each one!" Watching in horror, Dark Glass saw his monster stand up into an offensive position while Yusei's monster grew stronger (ATK: 4300).
"Go, Saviour Star Dragon, attack Tech Genus – Blade Gunner! Shooting Blaster Sonic!" Folding its wings up against its body, Yusei's enormous dragon went into a stoop and straight at the green machine monster, striking it with its nose tip and shattering it while it shot past Dark Glass.
As Dark Glass attempted to regain control, Yusei then yelled out, "Next, due to the effect of Synchro Blast, you suffer 500 Points of Damage! It's over Dark Glass!" Shooting up into the air, Yusei's dragon opened its wings as it assumed a vertical position, firing a beam of energy from the gem on its forehead that struck the man, knocking his D-Wheel into a skid.
Yusei: LP 1100
Dark Glass: LP 0
Seeing what had just happened, Yusei directed his dragon back to the road and straight to its surface, where it dissolved into blue energy and release his D-Wheel, back to Standby Mode. Dark Glass' D-Wheel had by now come to a stop along the side of the highway, and so Yusei, Jack and Crow pulled up beside him, dismounting.
"Are you alright?" Yusei asked, seeing the man's left sleeve to have worn away from the friction. Shaking, he got to his feet and pulled his vehicle up to a vertical position. He then pulled it off to the side, gaining his footing and looking at Yusei with a smile.
"I'll be fine," he answered. "That was the best duel I've had in some time. But I digress; I promised you information on the plans of Placido and Paradox."
"How exactly do you know what they have planned?" Crow asked, seeming very sceptical of the idea that somebody they didn't know aimed to tell them the plans of people they were fighting against.
"I have been observing both of them for some time," the man answered. "Placido's origins remain a mystery to me, but I know that he has existed far longer than either of his cohorts, Lucciano or Jose."
"Jose is an old man," Jack pointed out. "Placido has black hair. How exactly do you intend us to believe that Placido is the eldest of the three?"
"I cannot answer that with any certainty, but I can tell you that I, like Paradox, can see through time to beyond the here and now. Allow me to show you." Pulling out a small device from his pocket, he turned it on to produce a small image of Placido. "I compiled this dossier of Placido based on articles I found in various archives."
Pressing a button on the device, Placido expanded the screen to be about the size of a television screen, perhaps half a meter wide. Pressing a button, he then pulled up an image of a very old newspaper; and American newspaper from the late Nineteenth Century. "What do you see?"
Looking very closely at the picture for the article, Yusei examined all the faces in the article one by one; but there was a face he saw that made him gasp. When the others took note of this, Yusei pointed at the picture of the man and it zoomed in, revealing a man in Nineteenth Century clothes with an eye patch; it was Placido, exactly as he was now.
"What the hell is going on here?" Jack asked, completely taken aback by what he was seeing. "How can he be over one hundred years old and not look a day over thirty?"
"He's more than one hundred years old," Dark Glass responded. "Far Older." Pressing another button, a document came up which everyone recognized as a Medieval Spanish manifesto, the captain being mentioned as Ponce de Leon. Pointing at the third name under his, the entire crew gasped at seeing the name written plain as day: Placido de Niño.
"This… cannot be…" Crow gasped out, completely stunned and almost unable to think based off what he saw. Pressing another button, Dark Glass pulled up a picture of Placido de Niño, and he looked almost exactly like the modern Placido, except that he still had two eyes.
"Ponce de Leon was the Conquistador who searched for the Fountain of Youth," Yusei recalled, knowing full-well the historic accounts. "If this Placido de Niño was in fact a member of his crew, then it stands to reason that he found his prize."
"But what happened to his eye?" Jack questioned, getting a simple sombre headshake from Dark Glass.
"I don't know," he then explained. "There are many theories I have, but none of them can be answered because the fate of the Conquistadors in this incidence is unknown."
"Pegasus J. Crawford was missing his eyes because of the Millennium Eye," Crow reminded everyone. "Perhaps Placido owned that eye before Pegasus did."
"That's not possible," Jack countered. "By Pegasus' own writings in his journal, the Eye was still in its resting place when he received it in Egypt. Besides, the Conquistadors never went to Egypt, so it's unlikely."
"And what's more," Yusei added, "is that no evidence suggests that lives can be lengthened by Millennium Items. However, it has been established that the Stones of the Orichalcos could prolong life for Millennia." Referring to the incident with the Doma Organization as he spoke, he mentioned, "Dartz remained alive for Ten Centuries because of these stones; and they were all over the world."
"That wouldn't explain the loss of his eye though," Crow objected. "Perhaps the life elongation and the loss of eye are from separate incidents."
"I do know that Conquistadors had lost eyes in sword fights," Yusei agreed. "Placido may have had a disagreement with one or more of his crew over whatever they found."
"Well, whatever the case," Jack finished off, "it's rather evident that whatever they found, it truly was a fountain of youth."
"How are you still in this world?" Judai asked of the cloaked spirit in front of him, who smiled back a dark smile. "You should have been destroyed eight months ago, and sent away to that other world."
"I'm afraid that I'm not one to be killed so easily," the figure countered. "After all, I survived a ritual that would have killed anyone else, all to gain a power which could just as easily have killed me. Why does it not make sense that I survived the power of the Crimson Dragon as well?"
"Because you're not living anymore, Godwin," Judai countered, only to notice that the man's eyes had white scleras again and yet that his hair was the same scarlet. Purple and red marks still covered his face, though they did not glow; and the stone Duel Disc was still on his arm, currently inactive.
"I stopped being living when I awakened Wiraqocha Rasca," Godwin reminded Judai holding up the mentioned card and then tearing it in half. "But because of Yusei's Dragon, I was separated from its grasp in return for sacrificing my body, binding my soul to this altar."
"I know all about Placido and how he influenced you and Rudger to do what you did," Judai said mater-of-factly. "You must be quite angry that he now uses your precious Sky Temple as his home base after what he did to you two for it."
"Nii-san was a very twisted and tortured soul his entire life," Godwin replied, supplementing Judai's statement with background information. "By the end of the Maenou incident and Zero Reverse, he was too far gone to be saved; but he never would have started down that path were it not for Placido," Godwin then said bitterly. "So I suppose you are right; I am angry."
"And you obviously want something from me," Judai deduced. "You would have not appeared to me for any other reason."
"I am sorry to tell you Judai," Godwin replied sincerely, actually looking solemn as he said these words, "that what I want from you is your body." With Judai looking shocked at these words Godwin added, "The only way I can escape and avenge Nii-san and I is to take physical form and defeat Placido; and I cannot do that unless I have a vessel."
"You and I want the same thing!" Judai argued. "Why would I give up my body when I could simply defeat Placido with the Signers, and get you your justice?"
"Because I have a project I left incomplete which I must finish," the spirit answered. "In order to do that, I must return; for only I know of its existence, let alone its purpose and location."
"Are you sure that Paradox does not know of it yet?" Judai asked darkly, getting an angry expression and growl in reply.
"If that is the case," he then explained, "then this world is dead." Out of nowhere, his eyes started to glow a bright red, the light consuming Judai's field of vision and forcing him to cover his eyes. He then felt his spirit fall away from his body; and when he looked around, he saw that he was falling through a red and black vortex.
"Prepare yourself Yuki Judai," Godwin's voice echoed, "for a Dark Game the likes of which you have ne'er played. A wager will now be made between the very Gods themselves upon this outcome, to decide who must carry out the will of Destiny."
All of a sudden the entire vortex scene burst into white light, and when it faded away Judai found himself standing in a very different location than before. He was standing opposite Godwin on a stone platform, which resembled a blank stone tablet; and behind each player there were 5 more, smaller, blank tablets.
"As you know from previous experience," Godwin stated to Judai, referencing his Dark Games in his first year at Duel Academia, "this game will be played with far more than simply Life Points on the line. If I emerge the victor, your body becomes mine."
"Why would I accept such a proposal?" Judai asked, his eyes changing to the Golden ones of the Supreme King. "What can you possibly offer me in return?"
"If you emerge the victor," Godwin offered, "apart from keeping your body, I will give you whatever information I can about Placido and the project. That's a huge advantage in your fights, so I doubt you will refuse."
Gaining a confident look, Judai closed his eyes and responded, "How can I refuse the honour to duel a disciple of the Gods?"
"That daring nerve will serve you well in this Dark Game," Godwin stated darkly, "but hubris will not bring you victory." After he said this, a Deck appeared in the Deck Slot of the Stone Duel Disc, making its lines glow red; then, an active Duel Disc appeared on Judai's arm with a Deck in it, and so both players drew 5 cards.
"DUEL!" they both yelled, gaining an offensive stance.
Judai: LP 4000
Godwin: LP 4000
"I shall take the first turn," Godwin stated. "I draw!" When he picked up his card, he put it onto the Duel Disc immediately and said, "I summon Apocatequil (ATK: 1800, LV: 4)." In front of him them appeared the ghost-like form of a wooden idol almost like a priest, complete with white robe and rake-like staff, and then the art for the card then appeared on one of the tablets.
"Next, I shall activate the Magic Card One for One," Godwin added, holding up the card as well as another one in his hand. "By sending the Monster Card Red Ant Azcatl in my hand to the Cemetery, I Special Summon the Level 1 Supay (ATK: 300, LV: 1) from my Deck."
With its art appearing on another tablet, the ghostly form of a wooden mask-like object with black horns and large red eyes took up presence beside the other monster, which then glowed white. "When a Tuner Monster is face-up on the field, the Level of Apocatequil becomes 5. Thus, I Tune my Level 1 Supay to my now Level 5 Apocatequil."
Both the images on the tablets disappeared as the mask-like object became a white orb that changed into a green ring. The wooden idol then jumped up into this ring, changing into 5 white orbs and then forming a column of light. With that the art of a dragon composed of four heads dragon centred around a moon-like object appeared on a tablet.
"When the moon rests in the night sky," Godwin chanted, holding out his arms hands-up to his sides, "the whispers of the Devil can be heard. Entice them over to Death! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Moonlight Dragon Quilla (ATK: 2500, LV: 6)!"
From the light then appeared the incarnation of the tablet art; a massive moon-like object with a glowing rainbow aura and a hewn face, complete with 4 long purple and blue segmented necks and frilled heads, all its eyes fixed on Judai as it growled strongly. "It's become a regular Synchro Monster," Judai observed.
"Indeed she has," Godwin answered, "one which does not destroy herself every End Phase. Next," he stated, moving forward, "I set 2 cards and activate the Permanent Magic, Treasure of Rebirth!" With that two set cards appeared on either side of Godwin and the activated card appeared, all translucent. "When a Monster is Special Summoned from my Cemetery, I may draw one card."
"And considering the effects of his monsters are centred around Special Summoning from the Cemetery," Judai observed, looking at Godwin's dark sneer, "he'll be drawing very many cards by this duel's end."
"With my hand empty I end my turn," Godwin declared, looking back at Judai confidently as his Dragon continued to growl. "It is your turn, Judai. I never duelled you myself, but I know of your skill; I look forward to defeating one of your calibre."
"That won't be happening, Godwin," Judai stated. "It's my turn!" When he pulled his card, he folded it against his palm and held up another card from his hand. "I activate the Magic Card, Emergency Call, and add Featherman to my hand!" With that a big glowing "E" appeared from his card as a new card appeared in his hand; then he put his used Magic Card into the Cemetery and grabbed two cards from his hand.
"I Fuse Featherman and Burst Lady!" Judai yelled, holding up all three cards. The spirits of the two monsters then appeared and spiralled together, their fused form appearing with crossed arms as its art also appeared on a tablet (ATK: 2100, LV: 6). "Next, the Field Magic: Skyscraper!" Placing the card onto his Field Zone, the tablet they stood on changed to its art and the building appeared, Godwin and Judai standing between them.
"For its attack on a stronger monster," Judai explained, "my E-HERO monster gains 1000 ATK during Damage Calculation, Go, Flame Wingman, attack Moonlight Dragon Quilla! Flame Shoot!" Jumping up into the air, Judai's monster opened its dragon mouth and shot flames at the dragon; but before they hit, Godwin's form burst into glowing light.
'When Quilla is selected as an Attack Target," Godwin explained to a confused Judai, "half your monster's ATK is added to my Life Points. However, your attack still goes through, and so your Flame Wingman's power will rise to 3100." Seconds later, the flames struck the dragon and consumed it; the beast then roared out angrily and exploded.
"And let's not forget," Judai pointed out, "that when Flame Wingman destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the Cemetery, it inflicts damage to my opponent equal to the ATK of the destroyed monster!" Lowering down to Godwin, Judai's monster then bathed him in flames, making him cover his face as he took severe damage.
Judai: LP 4000
Godwin: LP 1950
"I managed to wipe out more than half his Life Points," Judai thought confidently. "Another attack like that, and I'll gave won this Duel. Not a bad start."
"I bet you think I've come off second-best, don't you Judai?" Godwin asked smugly, actually chuckling a little bit. "On the contrary, you've done me a favour with that aggressive move!"
"I end my turn," Judai stated, pointing at Godwin as the man's tablet lost its image. "Show me that you're not bluffing."
"With pleasure," Godwin replied. "It's my turn! Draw!" When he pulled his card, he pointed at his left set card and flipped it. "I activate the Trap Card, Lost Star Descent! I Special Summon a Synchro Monster from my Cemetery with 0 DEF and 1 less star. Rise again, Moonlight Dragon Quilla (DEF: 0, LV: 5)!"
As he said this, his monster reappeared in front of him, its colour scheme changed entirely to shades of blue as it crouched and its art reappeared on a tablet, albeit rotated 90 degrees clockwise. "Next, I activate the Trap Card: Call of the Death God! When a Monster is Special Summoned from my Cemetery, I Special Summon either Red ant Azcatl or Supay from my Cemetery. I Choose Azcatl (ATK: 700, LV: 3)!"
With its art appearing on a tablet, Godwin called up a large dark red and with brown legs and yellow stripes on its face; then, Godwin picked up two cards and placed them both on the tray. "I activate 2 Permanent Magic Card: Altar of the Sun and Altar of the Moonlight!"
As Judai looked on in awe, two pyramids appeared on either side of Godwin – one was lit up by a golden aura, the other shrouded in darkness by a white aura. "Due to the effect of Altar of the Moonlight, all opposing monsters lose 300 ATK and DEF in the turn a monster is Special Summoned from the Cemetery (ATK: 1800)."
"What?" Judai asked, watching as an aura of blackness consumed his monster and brought down its power.
"Next, I Tune my Level 3 Red Ant Azcatl to my now Level 5 Moonight Dragon Quilla!" Rising up into the air, the ant monster changed into 3 white orbs that became green rings while each face on the dragon became a white orb and the monster itself disappeared. These orbs all floated up to the ring in a pentagon formation; then they formed a column in the rings and changed into light.
"When the sun arises into the sky," Godwin chanted as his tablets once again went blank, "all the darkness is dispelled. Illuminate the Earth, light! Synchro Summon! Come forth, Sun Dragon Inti (ATK: 3000, LV: 8)!" With that an even larger monster appeared from the light, one that made Judai quake.
This new dragon was similar overall to its predecessor, but with marked differences. Its centre object was an eight-pointed sun with a less malice face, its necks were black, orange and black, and its frills were far more curved and pointed. This new monster then roared at Judai, and Godwin yelled, "Inti, Destroy Flame Wingman! Sunfire Blast!"
Roaring, the dragon formed four fireballs (one in each mouth) and released them in front of the sun idol, where they changed into a blasted stream of fire. These then shot straight at Judai's monster and turned it to ash; then they struck Judai, who screamed out in agony as he fell to his knees.
Judai: LP 2800
Godwin: LP 1950
When the flames died down, Judai noticed a sensation of numbness on his right shin. Looking back at it, he was surprised to see that everything between his ankle and knee had disappeared, dark purple smoke trailing off the stumps. Forcing himself to his feet, Judai realized exactly what was going to happen to him should his Life Points hit 0.
"I set one card and end my turn," Godwin said, smirking and looking back at Judai's now empty tablet. "Unless you can defend, you've got no hope."
"I have hope!" Judai yelled. "Draw!" He then instantly turned his card around and yelled, "I activate Angel's Gift!" Pulling three cards from his Deck, Judai too one of them as well as a card already in his hand, and threw them into the Cemetery before holding up another card. "I use Fusion Recovery to return Fusion and Burst Lady to my hand!"
When he got the card back, Judai took the two cards left in his hand and held them up with the Magic Card, yelling, I Fuse Edgeman and Wildman!" With that the native-looking and gold warriors appeared and spiralled together, calling forth a monster much like the former but with the latter's armour on its chest, one of its arms and one of its legs.
"Meet Wild Jaggyman (ATK: 2600, LV: 8)!" Judai yelled, his monster's art appearing on the tablet directly behind him. "And now, I attack Sun Dragon Inti, so I gain 1000 ATLK (ATK: 3600)!" Battle!" Jumping up into the air, Judai's monster pulled out a serrated sword and stuck the blade into the sun idol; this caused a golden light to emanate from the object, creating an explosion that consumed both monsters and then bathed Judai in gold flames.
"When Sun Dragon Inti is destroyed by battle," Godwin explained to the screaming Judai as the flames died out, "it destroys the monster that destroyed it, and causes damage equal to half its ATK. That means, half of Wild Jaggyman's 2600 ATK after Damage Calculation, or 1300 Points, will not be dealt to you as damage."
Looking back in anger, Judai felt his other leg disappear in a similar way to his previous one, his and Godwin's tablets going black.
Judai: LP 1500
Godwin: LP 1650
"You were winning last turn," Godwin pointed out, "and now you are losing. Very soon, Judai," he added, smiling darkly, "your body will be mine!" Judai scowled at this, watching as Godwin burst out into dark laughter.
Card of the Week – Godwin
Moonlight Dragon Quilla
Type: DARK
Level: 6
Tribes: [Dragon/Synchro/Effect]
Effect: "Supay" + 1 or more non-Tuner Monsters
When this card is selected as an attack target, recover Life Points equal to half the ATK of the monster that is attacking this card. If this card is destroyed, you may Special Summon 1 "Sun Dragon Inti" from your Cemetery.
ATK/ 2500
DEF/ 2000
*Placido a Conquistador? What? Review if you wish.*