Flight 5: Confrontation
"And this is where my butler said our next stop should be," Julian announced, spreading his arms wide. "The Athens Airship Recycling Centre."
"We know," said Lilith. "We can read the sign."
"Inside here are the fourth-placed Eldricyte-owners," Ray said gleefully. "Once we beat them, that's three out of five."
"I know," said Lilith. "I was there for the other two."
"I wonder if those players are as... eccentric as the rumours say," Julian commented thoughtfully.
"Rumours?" Lilith asked. "If there are rumours about these guys, why did it take us all day to hear about them?"
"I knew they existed and that they'd entered the tournament, but I hadn't heard that they actually won an Eldricyte," Julian explained. "Still, good thing we didn't already leave Athens."
"All right, enough exposition," Lilith pushed open the wrought-iron fence. They entered a labyrinth of discarded vehicle parts – deflated balloons, spine-like wooden frames, bits and pieces of metal that Ray and Lilith could only assume had something to do with airships, even broken wings of orinothopters littered the ground.
"I can't believe all this stuff goes to waste," Ray said, running up a huge pile of debris. "Look, this thing's beeping!" He pulled a box with a screen out of the pile. "I think it's a radar."
"It's an electric telegraph," said Julian. "It's beeping morse code – or it would, if it weren't broken. Right now it's beeping a sequence of A's."
"Does that mean it's screaming?" Ray asked, turning the box in his hand and staring horrified at it. "What a horrible fate." Then he shrugged and chucked it over his shoulder. "Oh hey, a duel disc."
"Any good cards in it?" Lilith asked.
"Sleeping Giant Thud," Ray called back, shrugging. "So, no."
"Fools!" said a voice from the surrounding piles of trash.
"Every card has its worth!" A female voice agreed.
"Who are you?" Ray demanded. "Where are you?"
"Allow us to introduce ourselves..." came the male voice. There was a flash of red as a man erupted from the pile of trash next to Lilith. He was wearing what looked like black spandex covered in random bits of metal. He wore a domino mask with gears around his eyes and a bright red cape. "I am... Scrapman!"
"And I..." said the female voice, as a blue blur somersaulted out of the garbage next to Julian. "Am Junkgirl!" She was wearing a similar outfit, gear-mask and all, but with a blue cape.
"When the sun sets and the crimes of night befall Athens," Scrapman said.
"It is we who punish evildoers! It is we who deliver justice!" Junkgirl continued.
"We are the axle that spin the gears of truth!"
"We are the engine that roars against tyranny!"
"Athens' Number 1 crime-fighters!" Scrapman and Junkgirl shouted in unison. "The duellists of detritus! The warriors of waste! The rebels of refuse who will never refuse a cry for help!" They stood beside each other and pointed their arms out like a V. "When you hear of the mighty Scrapman and Junkgirl, it is us of whom they speak!"
No one spoke for a few minutes, but the caw of a crow kept the awkwardness from being an awkward silence.
Finally, Ray had enough of quietness. "No one else is going to say it?" He looked to Julian and Lilith, who shook their heads. "It has to be me?" They nodded. "Okay." He looked down at the trash below his feet. Suddenly, he cried, "That was amazing!"
"What," Lilith and Julian said.
"That was the coolest introduction I've ever heard!" Ray continued gushing. "Most of the other Eldricyte-owners were trying to teach us nuclear physics, but you... you guys get right into it! And you're superheroes! Duelling superheroes!" He grabbed a filthy piece of paper from the mountain he was standing on. "Can I have your autographs?"
"You already have our autographs," Scrapman said, leaping atop the trash pile in a single bound. He put his hand on Ray's heart. "You have our autographs in here."
"Whoa," Ray said.
"What," Lilith and Julian reiterated.
"Julian, I don't want to take these guys' Eldricyte," Ray said. "They're too cool. And what if they need it for crime-fighting?"
"Ray, the Eldricytes are unplayable," Julian said.
"The Eldricyte is nothing more than a symbol," Junkgirl said. "A symbol of our triumph over amazing adversity. A triumph of hard work over the materialism and greed of our competition!"
"I thought you came in fourth," said Lilith.
"It was a moralvictory," Scrapman snapped. "Also, the prize money was able to fund another few years' worth of crime-fighting. But more importantly, the names Scrapman and Junkgirl are known throughout the world!"
Junkgirl swung her arm through the air. "All criminals will know us and fear us. Our plan was not to win the tournament – it was to threaten evildoers."
"What about criminals who aren't in Athens?" Lilith asked.
"We have also inspired people around the world!" Junkgirl continued. "People will learn that they too can stand up against what is evil. Soon, you will hear about other heroes fighting for what they believe in."
"At any rate, you don't need your Eldricyte, right?" Julian asked.
"No," said Scrapman. "But! Do not think we will give it away or trade it!"
"Our pride as knights of justice will not allow us to part with our trophy until we are defeated!" Junkgirl dug through a pile of trash, retrieved a couple duel discs and tossed one to Scrapman.
"Let me show you what I'm willing to bet," Julian said, opening his binder.
"Stardust Divinity! A card truly representing our roles as heroes," Junkgirl decided.
"Come on, Ray," said Lilith, as Ray slid down the trash pile on an airship door. "Sorry to force you to fight your heroes."
"I know!" said Ray, as he switched on his disc. "We have a job to do. And I also wouldn't dishonour these noble warriors by going easy on them."
"That's the spirit!" said Scrapman. "Come at us with everything you have!"
"Duel!" The four duellists cried together, though Lilith was entirely drowned out by the loud voices of the others.
Lilith began the game, as determined by a coin toss. "I set one monster... and one backrow. End turn." Two card back holograms appeared before her.
No face-up Lunanima... probably means no Moonlight Veil, Ray noticed. So I guess I have to be careful. He glanced at his hand. Luckily I can do that with this hand.
"I shall begin for our turn!" Junkgirl announced. "I activate the Spell Reinforcements of the Army. I'll search out my ace monster – Junk Synchron!"
Junkgirl and Scrapman actually play Junk and Scraps? Lilith sighed. I guess I should've seen it coming.
"When only you control monsters, this card can be Special Summoned from my hand. Junk Forward, appear!" From one of the trash piles burst a robot, who ran onto the field. "Now, I summon Junk Synchron!" Junkgirl continued. An orange, mechanical man hopped onto the field.
"What a waste," Lilith muttered.
"A waste, you said?" Junkgirl demanded. "Living here in a dump, you realize just how much people waste. Scrapman and I have sworn to find treasure in what other people throw away. We will never put anything to waste. Though I may not get Junk Synchron's effect, I've done what I needed to. I tune Level 3 Junk Synchron and Level 3 Junk Forward!" The two machines leapt into the air, Forward entering the rings created by Synchron. "Synchro Summon! The shield of truth, Junk Gardna!" A giant green robot descended from a flash of light; giant wrist-guards shielding its entire body. (2600 DEF)
"Then I'm up," said Ray. "I summon Solanimus Magmagician!" The red wizard appeared in a flash of fire, spinning its lava-staff. (1900 ATK) "Now, by discarding a Solanimus, I can draw one card. Goodbye, Fireraptor. Next, I activate Solanimus Battle Aura! I banish the Fireraptorin my Graveyard and Magmagician gains its ATK!" An intense flame surrounded the wizard, taking the form of the discarded dinosaur. (3100 ATK)
"Fool!" Junkgirl countered. "I activate Junk Gardna's effect – Solanimus Magmagicianis changed to Defence Position." Ray's wizard covered its face with its arms and staff. (200 DEF)
"Then... I'll set one card," Ray said, shaken. "And end my turn."
"My turn, then!" Scrapman declared. "I summon Scrap Beast!" A small pile of rubbish rolled down one of the giant mountains of debris. Wires shot out from one piece, connecting everything into a creature resembling a sabre-toothed tiger. (1600 ATK) "Battle! Scrap Beast attacks Solanimus Magmagician!"
"I activate my Trap!" Ray said. "Solanimus Fire Stream. When a Solanimus is attacked, it destroys the attacking monster and inflicts damage to you equal to the attack target. That's 3100 damage going straight to you!"
"From my hand, I chain Scrapstorm!" Scrapman cried. "I select a Scrap monster I control. Then, I sent a Scrap monster from my deck to the Graveyard and draw one card. I'll mill Scrap Chimera. Finally..." He pointed at his monster, which exploded into bits of metal and gears. "Scrap Beast is destroyed, which fizzles your Fire Steam!"
"Dammit..." Ray muttered, chucking his Trap to the Graveyard.
"And finally, when Scrap Beast is destroyed, I can add a Scrap in my Graveyard to my hand. I'll reclaim Scrap Chimera!" Scrapman said triumphantly, as a card slid out of his Graveyard slot. "It is your turn, fair maiden!"
"Fair maiden?" Lilith repeated. That Junk Gardna's going to cause Ray problems, but they're playing very defensively – which works great for me. "I flip summon Potion-Brewer of Lunanima!" Lilith's set monster revealed itself – a blue-haired girl with a pointed hat decorated with what looked like fins. (1000 ATK) "And I activate its Flip effect – adding one Lunanima monster from my deck to my hand. I'll pick Stargazer of Lunanima."
"So, that's what we're doing this game, huh?" Ray asked, smiling.
"That's right. I discard Stargazer of Lunanima to add Lunar Impact to my hand. Next, I'll play it." The sky, which was already starting to get dark naturally, became pitch-black except for a bright full moon directly above the superheroes. "And let's get some Moon Counters going. I summon Voodoo Princess of Lunanima!" A young, dark-skinned woman appeared; she wore a tattered robe, a necklace of claws and held a staff with a skull on the end. (1000 ATK) "When this card is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Lunanima from my Graveyard. Voodoo Princess – reanimate Stargazer!" A rope appeared in the woman's hands; she used it to drag a blue-skinned Stargazer from the soil. Her telescope lens was broken and her lips were sewn shut. (1800 DEF)
"That's... pretty creepy," Ray noted.
"It's not my fault bringing people back from the dead makes them zombies," Lilith protested. "Is this better? I'll Overlay my Level 4 Potion-Brewer, Voodoo Princess and Stargazer. Goddess of night, cast the world into eternal shadow! Xyz Summon; Gravity Queen of Lunanima!" A card familiar to Ray appeared; the woman in dark, royal robes with the crescent moon sceptre. (2500 DEF)
"Before you go any further, Junk Gardna's effect activates!" Junkgirl announced. "I'll switch your Gravity Queeninto Attack Position." (1500 ATK)
"Fine, fine," Lilith shook her head. "But I'm still using her effect!" One of the lights flying around Gravity Queen was absorbed into her staff. Lilith pointed at the moon as it lurched closer. "I just added a Moon Counter toLunar Impact. When it has 7, we win."
"Suffering scrapheaps!" Scrapman cried.
"Jolly junkyards!" Junkgirl agreed.
"Lilith, we need catchphrases," said Ray, entirely seriously.
"I am setting a card," Lilith said through grit teeth. "And it is now Junkgirl's turn."
"Then my turn it is!" Junkgirl repeated. "I activate Tuning. Now, I add a Junk Synchron from my deck to my hand!" After doing so, she flipped a card from her deck to the Graveyard slot. "Lucky me! Quillbolt Hedgehog was the card I milled. Now I summon Junk Synchron!" A clone of her ace appeared. (1300 ATK) "By its effect, I can revive Quillbolt Hedgehog." An orange furball with screws coming out of it appeared (800 ATK). "And when a monster is Special Summoned from my Graveyard, this card can be Special Summoned from my hand. Doppelwarrior!" A man in black holding what looked like a crossbow appeared as well. (900 ATK)
I was wrong! Lilith thought worriedly. These guys aren't defensive - they're both just balanced!
"You might be proud of your new Xyz Summoning, but I prefer to stick with the old classics! I tune Junk Synchron with Doppelwarrior and Quillbolt Hedgehog!" Junkgirl announced. "Synchro Summon! The arrow of justice,Junk Archer!" A cycloptic robot appeared, drawing a glowing arrow on a fancy bow. (2300 ATK)
"Two Synchros this early!" Ray said, grinning. "This is great!"
"There's more! Behold my two Doppel Tokens!" Two clones of Doppelwarrior appeared, readying their weapons. (800 ATK) "Now! Junk Archer's effect Banishes your Gravity Queen until the End Phase!" Junkgirl explained, as her monster fired an arrow. Gravity Queen was hit straight in the chest and fell into a hole suspended in the sky. "And that will get rid of its Xyz Materials. So now, the coast is clear. I switch Junk Gardna to attack mode. Battle!Junk Gardna attacks Solanimus Magmagician!" The robot rolled across the field and unceremoniously pummelled Ray's wizard to death. "Now! Junk Archer and my two Doppel Tokensattack directly!"
"Sorry, Ray," Lilith said solemnly, as Junk Archer's laser-arrow flew through her. (2300 damage - 5700 LP)
"It's not your fault," Ray replied, as the Doppel Tokens' bullets struck him. (800 damage - 4900 LP)
"I end my turn!" said Junkgirl. "And Gravity Queenreturns!"
"But no Materials, yeah, I know," Lilith muttered.
"Enough is enough!" Ray cried, drawing a card. "I have had it with that goddamned Junk Gardna on this goddamn field! Ah, this'll work. I play Solanimus Dimensional Tear!" Two clawed hands appeared in the sky and tore a hole in reality. "This Special Summons a Banished Solanimus! Welcome back, Fireraptor!" The dinosaur finally ripped a gash big enough to jump through, and landed on the field with a screechy roar. "Oh, and Solanimus Dimensional Tear is a Solanimus card, of course. That triggers Fireraptor's effect!" Ray pointed towards Junk Gardna. "I destroy one of your cards." The dinosaur raced across the field madly, tearing the robot to shreds. It began feasting on the now-exposed circuitry and the fire on its back blazed brighter. "Fireraptoralso gains 500 ATK!" (2700 ATK)
"Impressive!" Junkgirl admitted. "But when Junk Gardna is destroyed, one of your monsters' Battle Positions is changed." She pointed just as dramatically at Fireraptor, who crouched. (300 DEF)
"You've never seen me duel, have you?" Ray asked. "Lilith knows what's coming."
Obviously,Lilith agreed mentally.
"I summon Solanimus Vicious Hatchling!" There appeared an egg, from which a young Chinese dragon crawled. "All you need to know is that it's a Tuner. Now!" His two reptiles flew into the air; the dinosaur entering rings created by the little dragon. "Master of destruction, burn down everything in your path! Synchro Summon! Solanimus Raging Dragon!" An explosion lit the artificially-night sky, but the only sound was the roar of the dragon that appeared. "And now, because of Hatchling's effect, it gains the 2200 ATK of Fireraptor!" It flapped its wings, sending a shockwave through the air. (3000 ATK - 5200 ATK)
"Most impressive!" Scrapman said.
"Well thanks. But flattery won't get you any life points! Raging Dragon attacks Junk Archer!" A spiralling jet of flame struck the robotic bowman, piercing straight through it. It sparked for a second before exploding. (2900 damage - 5100 LP) "And of course, Raging Dragon barbarises you with damage equal to the ATK of the destroyed monster!" The explosion continued, covering both opponents. (2300 damage - 2800 LP)
"Nice one," Lilith said with a thumbs-up. "That combo's awesome every time." Did he seriously say 'barbarise' again?
"You know it!" Ray said. "End turn!" Raging Dragon's flames cooled down a little, and it shrunk back to its normal size. (3000 ATK)
"Again, most impressive!" Scrapman said. "However, your dragon has a few weaknesses – unlike mine. I summon Scrap Chimera!" Random bits of machinery flew from every trash pile in sight, configuring into a winged lion with a snake for a tail. (1700 ATK)
"That's not a dragon," Ray protested.
"I'm not done yet!" Scrapman retorted. "Scrap Chimera Special Summons Scrap Beast from my Graveyard!" The chimera roared; the pieces of garbage that formed the tiger once formed it again. (1600 ATK) "And now, I tune Scrap Beast and Scrap Chimera. Synchro Summon! Scrap Dragon!" Each bit of machinery turned separately into green lights, flying through or becoming rings as appropriate. Finally, an enormous dragon made entirely of scrap metal descended onto the field. It let out a burst of steam from its jaws. (2800 ATK)
"That's a dragon," Ray accepted. "But it's weaker than mine."
"Fool!" Scrapman snapped. "I activate Scrap Dragon's effect! I destroy one of our Doppel Tokens and then one of your cards. Goodbye, Raging Dragon!" The mechanical dragon roared; one of Junkgirl's minions exploded. Bits of machinery flew from all the surrounding piles; wrapping around Raging Dragon's limbs and body before suddenly exploding.
"Raging... Dragon..." Ray muttered, clenching his fists. "I won't forgive you!"
"Such vengeance! You would not make a good superhero! Scrap Dragon, attack Gravity Queen!" The dragon released a stream of not fire, but flying bits of metal and other detritus. It flew towards Gravity Queen, but struck and shattered a ghostly face.
"By discarding Snowflake Ghost of Lunanima, the attack is negated," Lilith explained. "And I revive Potion-Brewer of Lunanima!" Her cauldron-mixing witch reappeared on the field. (1800 DEF)
"Now that, young Ray, is how you protect what's important to you!" Scrapman said. "If you care about something, it's your responsibility to keep it safe. Remember that!"
"I don't need a lecture from the guy who destroyed my dragon!" Ray roared.
"Ray, calm down," Lilith scolded. She drew a card. "I'm sure that deck of yours can bring it back. But..." She smiled. "Try and keep up. I activate Crystal Mirror of Lunanima!" She snapped her fingers, and a second Potion-Brewer appeared on the field. "Now, I overlay my two Potion-Brewers. Goddess of the frozen wasteland, cast the world into eternal winter!" As her monsters hopped into a galaxy, it began to snow; most of the flakes connected in mid-air like a constellation, finally forming a pale, white-clothed woman. "Xyz Summon! Ice Priestess of Lunanima!" (2500 DEF)
"Wait, you're - " Ray began.
"First, I activate Ice Priestess' effect," Lilith snapped her fingers again; one of the lights around Ice Priestess disappeared, and all of Scrap Dragon's joints froze solid, followed by an ice cube forming around the entire dragon. "Now, Scrap Dragon's effect is negated, and it can't attack. It also can't be Synchroed with."
"Suffering scrapheaps!" Scrapman cried.
"But I'm not done yet," Lilith said. "The moon needs to come closer. And now, I have only one way to do that. I overlay my Rank 4 Ice Priestess of Lunanima and Gravity Queen of Lunanima!" A galaxy appeared on the ground, swirling briefly before each spoke erupted across the entire junkyard. The two woman were absorbed into it, and it became a whirling black hole.
"What is this?" Junkgirl demanded.
"An Xyz Summon beyond Xyz Summon?" Scrapman wondered in awe.
"Goddess of magic, to whom the moon is but a puppet! Cast the world into an eternity of unceasing shadow. GalaXyz Summon!" A woman rose from the black hole. Her skin was pitch-black, and yet her royal robes and long hair were even darker. She had a crown-mask and a giant scythe, both of silver. "Hecate, Witch Goddess of Lunanima!" (3500 DEF) Three balls of light flew around her; the superheroes presumed they represented the Xyz monsters and Ice Priestess' former material.
Lilith's summoned her strongest card, Ray thought. A GalaXyz monster... but what have I accomplished this duel? He clenched his fist. Lilith, I promise I'll help.
"Hecate's effect," Lilith said, as her monster snapped her fingers. "Once per turn, she puts a Moon Counter on Lunar Impact. And I don't even have to detach anything." Hecate lazily beckoned at the moon, and it flew forward a position. (2 Moon Counters) "End turn!"
"I didn't expect such a monster to appear!" Junkgirl said nervously. "Still! I shan't give up! I activate The Warrior Returning Alive, letting me add Junk Synchron from my Graveyard to my hand. And now, I shall once again summon Junk Synchron!" It appeared yet again; this time pointing its hand towards the ground as Doppelwarrior appeared beside it. "Junk Synchron's effect Special Summons Doppelwarrior. And now, I'll activate Quillbolt Hedgehog's effect and summon it as well!"
"Here it comes," said Lilith.
"I tune Junk Synchron, Doppelwarrior, my remaining Doppel Token and Quillbolt Hedgehog. Synchro Summon! The fierce warrior of truth, Junk Destroyer!" A beetle-like mechanical warrior appeared. It spread its blade-like wings and stretched four arms. (2600 ATK) Two more Doppel Tokensappeared with it. (400 ATK) "And now for Destroyer's effect! I destroy a number of cards you control up to the number of non-Tuners I used as synchromaterial. I destroy Lunar Impact and Hecate!"
"Dammit," Lilith muttered. "Hecate's effect. By detaching an Xyz Material, I activate a Moonlight V– "
"Leave this one to me, Lilith!" Ray protested. "I Special Summon Solanimus Guardian Phoenix!" A long-necked bird flew from his hand, shrouded in golden flames. (100 DEF) "When two or more cards would be destroyed, I can Special Summon this guy. First off, those cards aren't destroyed." He pointed at the new Doppel Tokens. "Then, it destroys the same number of monsters with less DEF than Phoenix's 1000!" The bird let loose a stream of fire, obliterating the two Doppel Tokens.
"Hecate's own effect wouldn't have saved Lunar Impact," said Lilith. "Thanks. I owe you one."
"No you don't. We're a team!" Ray said.
"Now that's the attitude we like to see!" said Scrapman.
"Junk Destroyer attacks Guardian Phoenix!" Junkgirl cried.
"Okay, now I activate Hecate's–"
"Lilith, it's fine. It's served its purpose," Ray said, as the giant robot punched his phoenix into oblivion. "Save Hecate'seffect to protect herself."
Lilith nodded. "Right."
"My turn!" said Ray. "I... set one backrow." Down to one card in my hand. But Lilith, I promise you, I'll spend it protecting Hecate. He looked over at Lilith. She's still got what, three cards? How does she do it?
"Then for my turn!" Scrapman announced. "When I control a Scrap monster, I can Special Summon this card. Scrap Orthros!" A two-headed dog made of discarded metal hopped into position. (1700) "Now, it destroys a Scrap monster I control. Goodbye, Scrap Dragon!" The ice-encased dragon exploded.
"Problem solved," said Ray.
"Fool!" Scrapman cried. "When Scrap Dragon is destroyed, I Special Summon a Scrap from my Graveyard. Be reborn, Scrap Chimera!" The pieces that were once Scrap Dragon spun around in the air, finally forming the winged, snake-tailed lion from before. (1700 ATK) "I'm tuning Scrap Chimera and Scrap Orthros! Synchro Summon! Scrap Dragon!" Another enormous dragon appeared, landing on the field with a shockwave simply by its weight. (2800 ATK) "All we have to do is get Hecate to waste its materials... no Hecate, no Moon Counters! I set a card, and then use Scrap Dragon's effect! I destroy the set card and Hecate!"
"Fool," Lilith said mockingly. "Do you honestly think you can get me to use my three materials before Lunar Impact's effect activates? I chain Hecate's effect! I detach an Xyz Material to activate Moonlight Veil from my deck." A wall of light appeared; the card back behind Scrap Dragonexploded, but Hecate remained unharmed.
"I do think that, yes," Scrapman said. "Scrap Dragon's effect will activate every turn. Backed up by Junkgirl! Your Lunar Impact only has two counters. There's no way Hecate will last that long! End turn!"
"Cocky, cocky," Lilith shook her head. "I can understand trying to destroy Hecate over Lunar Impact if you think that all Lunar Impact can do is end the game, but... you're wrong there too. I activate Gift of Moonlight!" She pointed at the sky. "If I have two or more Moon Counters on cards I control, I draw two cards." Two cards flew from the moon and into her hand. "Next, I'll activate Hecate'seffect. Bring the moon closer, my Goddess." The pitch-black woman glanced up at the moon, snapped her fingers and it lurched forward. (3 Moon Counters)
"It's still too slow, I'm sorry to say!" said Scrapman.
"Then I'll speed it up. I play Monster Reborn. You didn't notice which Xyz Material I detached, did you?" Lilith snapped her fingers, and Gravity Queen reappeared. (3000 DEF) "And now, I summon Seadancer of Lunanima." The two Xyz ladies were joined by a mermaid with a tail made of water. (100 ATK)
"Perfect," said Ray.
"Seadancer's effect attaches a Lunanima in my Graveyard to Gravity Queen," Lilith explained, as an image of Potion-Brewer appeared briefly and became a light circling the queen. "Now, I'll detach it." The light disappeared; Gravity Queenpointed her sceptre at the moon and pulled it another stage. (4 Moon Counters) "I set one card!"
"Scrapman, you miscalculated!" Ray exclaimed.
"So it would seem," Scrapman muttered.
"My turn, then!" said Junkgirl. "Junk Destroyer attacks Seadancer!" The robot fired its hands like bullets, but they bounced harmlessly off a wall of light, produced by Hecate'swaving hands.
"Hecate activates Moonlight Veilfrom my Graveyard," said Lilith. (1 Xyz Material)
"End turn!" said Junkgirl.
"Lilith," said Ray, as he looked at his drawn card. "I'm entrusting this duel to you! This is all I can do to help. I activate Dragon's Final Gift!" From his Graveyard slot stretched Raging Dragon'shead, then the rest of it. It looked towards Ray solemnly, or at least as solemnly as a giant dragon could look. "I banish a Dragon-type Synchro in my Graveyard... and then I draw two cards."
"Ray." said Lilith, as Raging Dragon dissolved. "You gave up your favourite card..."
"Of course," said Ray. "I set another card. End turn!"
"How noble," said Scrapman. "But it will be in vain! I summon Scrap Mind Reader!" What looked like a robotic head connected to a series of wires burst from one of the piles of garbage. (0 ATK) "And now! I tune Scrap Mind Reader with Scrap Dragon! Synchro Summon! The yin and the yang of resonating rubble! Scrap Twin Dragon!" Scrap Dragonreappeared, but, as the name would suggest, it had an extra head. Both were now connected to the main body by what looked like just springs. (3000 ATK)
"Excellent, Scrapman!" Junkgirl exclaimed.
"I set a card, and then activate Scrap Twin Dragon's effect!" Scrapman decided. "Now, I can return two of your cards to your hand and destroy my backrow. Therefore, I return Hecate and Lunar Impact!"
"And Moonlight Veil can't stop it!" Junkgirl added.
"No, but I can!" Ray cried. "Divine Wrath!" His facedown card flipped and a giant bolt of lightning struck the two-headed dragon right between the heads. "I have to discard Solanimus Fireraptor, but it was worth it."
"Well, when Scrap Twin Dragon is destroyed by a card you control, I can Special Summon a Scrap from my Graveyard," Scrapman explained. "Be reborn, Scrap Beast!" The tiger-like creature appeared once more. (1600 ATK) "Scrap Beastattacks Seadancer of Lunanima!"
"Time for my set card – Book of Moon," Lilith announced. "I flip Seadancer into face-down defense position." What was I thinking not using this on Scrap Mind Reader? Ray could've saved his Divine Wrath... but thenScrap Dragon could still have attacked Gravity Queen. We saved an Xyz Material like this. She realized, as the tiger ran into the now-defensive Seadancer(1800 DEF). It bounced off and shook its head. (200 damage - 2600 LP)
"For my turn," said Lilith. "I activate Seadancer's effect." A light appeared, circling Gravity Queen, and then disappeared. "Gravity Queen adds a new counter to Lunar Impact – and so does Hecate!" (6/7) "I set one card. End turn!"
"Aha!" said Junkgirl. "I activate Heavy Storm!"
"Chain," said Lilith. "Dark Bribe."
"Well, I got it out of the way for Scrapman," Junkgirl sighed, drawing a card. "Junk Destroyerattacks Burning Snake!"
"Don't waste your Xyz Material, Lilith!" Ray said, as the giant robot punched Burning Snake. (800 damage - 4100 LP) He began his turn as Junkgirl waved her hand. Yes! I drew it! "I summon Solanimus Blazing-Mane Lion... and set one card. End turn!"
"You have fought well," said Scrapman. "But I'm afraid it's over. I activate Dark Hole!"
"What?" Lilith asked. "I still have an Xyz Material on Hecate. I detach it to activate Moonlight Veil!"
"Which is why I'm so happy that, by negating Scrap Twin Dragon, you let me keep my backrow – Fiendish Chain!" Scrapman flipped up his only card; chains flew out of the ground towards Hecate. "With this, Hecate's effect is negated! No Moonlight Veil means Dark Holeworks!"
Dammit! Lilith cursed mentally. Just one more counter... and I can't come back with a hand like this. Ray doesn't even have a hand.She glanced up at the field. To her surprise, chains were now wrapped around Ray's lion instead of her goddess. "What?"
"Weren't you listening?" Ray asked. "I played Shift. Fiendish Chain's target is now Solanimus Blazing-Mane Lion! Hecate's effect continues as normal."
"Ray, you saved Hecate again."
"I didn't want to change my parents' deck, but Shift is a great card for tag duels." He shrugged, as a black hole appeared in the field, sucking away only Junk Destroyer. "Also, too many people here play Fiendish Chain. I don't like the card much."
"We are defeated!" Scrapman announced. "End turn!"
"Well then," said Lilith. She snapped her fingers. "Hecate adds the final counter. Lunar Impact!" She cried, as the moon finally connected with the ground. It was as if there was a giant, porous mountain coming out of the earth in front of them. Just as Ray and Lilith were admiring the sight, it – and the other holograms – disappeared.
"A most amazing duel," said Scrapman, as Junkgirl passed Eldricyte – Neutros the Twisterto Julian. "It has been an honour." He jumped into the air and somersaulted into a trash pile out of sight.
"Though I have never known heroes with your desire to cast the world into eternal darkness," said Junkgirl, looking at Lilith. "Nor your temper," she said to Ray, "I believe the two of you are destined for great things. However... be careful about the path you choose. Never-ceasing darkness is not the goal of a hero." With those wise words, she too somersaulted into a pile of garbage.
"It..." said Lilith. "It was just a summoning chant."
"The Grande Bretagne," said Julian. "I've stayed at this hotel before. The rooms might not be the greatest, but the food is incredible." Ray and Lilith looked around at the buffet they were now in the midst of. "I figured the two of you could use a break from airship food and turbulence while you sleep. And this is on me, of course."
"Any particular occasion?" Lilith asked.
"The job's half-over, of course," said Julian. "More than half, actually. The two of you have earned it." He shrugged. "Also, there's a decent chance that there's another Eldricyte holder here in Athens. There's no sense leaving before we're sure."
"I see," said Lilith. "The room plans are – "
"Don't worry. You have your own room. Ray and I will share one."
"Thanks." She looked around. "Where did Ray go?"
"I'm over here!" called a distant Ray, holding up a tray packed to the brim with various kinds of meat.
"Oh," said Lilith. "I guess we should hurry before he eats everything in the buffet." She began her rounds of the food and Julian chuckled.
"Sow-vlah-key," said Ray.
"Soo-vlah-key," Lilith corrected. "Come on, that's exactly how it reads. It's just meat on a stick, you'll probably like it." She glanced around the buffet. Julian's over by the seafood... perfect."Ray," she whispered. "Once Julian falls asleep, come to my room."
"Eh?" Ray fumbled the tongs he was using to grab a piece of souvlaki, snapping the stick.
"Julian's hiding something," She continued. "He's been too desperate to get these Eldricytes..."
"He's a card collector," Ray said, trying to keep his voice as quiet as Lilith's. "Of course he's desperate to – "
"Ray, please. Trust me on this."
Ray sighed. "Fine."
"I'm going to go get some mussels." She turned, but then remembered something and turned back. "Oh, and bring the Eldricytes."
"Yeah," said Ray offhandedly, as he tried to grab another souvlaki. As he put it on his now-overflowing plate, he suddenly registered what Lilith had said. "Wait, what?"
It was a cheerful supper. Julian complimented Ray and Lilith's partnership with a mock-toast. The kids had a playful argument about whether Hecate or Raging Dragon/Assault Mode was the better card. All three of them introduced themselves to strange Greek foods, happy to have something a little more extravagant than what little could be kept on an airship. Finally, they talked about the future plans over baklava.
"Wow, I actually can't eat this," Lilith said, prodding at the pastry. "It's just too sweet."
"Yoink," said Ray, grabbing Lilith's plate, as she gave an expression that looked like she was trying not to look amused.
Finally, the three departed to their two rooms. Ray, as per Lilith's request, fought the urge to fall asleep as soon as he touched the comfortable bed. He glanced over at Julian's bed. I still can't hear any snoring, He thought.I gotta stay up longer. Hmm, counting sheep is supposed to put people to sleep... so if I count dragons, it'll help me stay up! It's genius! One dragon... two dragons... three...
"Ray," said an unimpressed Lilith, poking him in the head. "You fell asleep."
"What? Blarg? Dragons?" Ray flinched. "Wait, I'm confused."
"It is 2am. I figured you and Julian were both asleep by now so I snuck in here. What's up?"
"Sorry, I was trying to keep awake – "
"I mean, where'd Julian go?" Lilith pointed towards the empty bed. "It's convenient, but..."
"Sorry," said Ray, shaking his head. "I didn't see him go."
"Well, he left the Eldricyte binder," said Lilith. "So it's our lucky day." She turned on a light, stunning Ray for a second, and sat on the side of his bed as she opened the binder. "I never got a good look at any of these."
"Me either," said Ray, sitting up beside her. There were only six pockets in the binder; the top three were filled. "Eldricyte – Basos the Flayer," Ray read. "LIGHT... Level 1 Synchro?"
"Impossible to summon," Lilith mused.
"Monos the Swallower actually has an Eldricyte-support effect," Ray noted. "So does Neutros the Twister."
"Are you seriously not looking at the art?" Lilith asked. She passed the binder to Ray. He held it closer to the light. Basos was a disturbingly-detailed demon emerging from a wall of flesh. Parts of the wall became tentacles full of blood-soaked spikes. Basos was a horrible mass of mouths connected to bare esophagi and stomachs. Each stomach joined at the base to form what looked like a brain made of intestines. Finally, Neutros looked to be a human, emerging from the fleshy wall at the knees, but its legs were wrapped around each other. Its torso too was full of twist marks that made it look like the skeleton had been rotated at a few spots within its skin. Finally, its skull was facing the wrong way, giving a horrifying look of a screaming face pressed against the skin on the back of its head, with no mouth, nose or eye sockets.
"Why was Julian after these?" Ray asked. "I'd only collect cool-looking cards."
"Well, they are one-of-a-kind," Lilith said. "Still, I'm with you on that." Ray fiddled with the top of the binder pages. "What are you doing? Leave those alone!"
"Julian could always tell a real Eldricyte from the back!" Ray said. "I want to know why." He finally retrieved Monos and carefully slid it out of its protective case.
"See anything?" Lilith asked, as Ray examined the back in close detail.
"Yeah," He said, poking at the corner. "There's like a little bit of paper on it." He scratched at it. "It's not coming off."
"That's the card itself!" Lilith realized, taking it. "The back's peeling off. Didn't we get this one from Leo and Lise? I figured they'd take care of it better." As she tried to press the peeling corner back, it flipped completely to the other side and fell off. "Oops."
"Lilith! You broke it!" Ray cried. He waited for a response. "I was kidding... I'm sure Julian knows it was like this..."
"Ray, look at this," Lilith said. The inside of the card was not blank white as Ray had expected. There were drawings covering the card from top to bottom. Expertly-drawn diagrams of gears, axles, bits of machinery that neither Lilith or Ray recognized. There was writing surrounding the pictures. Numbers, measurements, but also instructions. Instructions on how to fit the pieces together. Hints as to which Eldricyte to look to next for the next steps.
"What... what is this?" Ray asked.
"Blueprints," said a voice from the doorway. Julian walked back into the room. He was holding a cup of steaming tea and shaking his head. "I suppose I should have told you." He picked the fake back up off the floor. "I was still hoping to keep these in good shape, but Leo and Lise really went overboard studying this. A simple flashlight behind the card would've shown the blueprints..."
"Julian," said Lilith. "What are these blueprints for?"
He sighed. "They're called the Lymph Nodes. The technology-destroying device..."