Episode 50: A Light in the Dark

Yuni and Apep are still standing in the same area as they were in the last episode. Yuni looks like he's in a state of disbelief. He says in confusion, "Wait, why do you need me? I know almost nothing about Chaos. This is your specialty. What the heck can I do?"

Apep says, "That is just the thing Yuni. You have a special connection to Chaos. Remember when we dueled? You managed to pull off a Chaos Draw. That means that you not only have a connection to Chaos, but a strong one. There is no one else I can think, save maybe one, who would be better to help me. So please Yuni, fight at my side to restore the balance of Chaos. Become a light in the dark that has clouded the realm."

Yuni nods. "I'll do anything for you Apep. If you think I can do it, I will."

Apep exclaims, "That's great Yuni! Come, we must be off immediately."

Yuni questions, "Off to where?"

"Across the Realm of Chaos, there are four sacred temples." He points to the right. "To the east, there's the Temple of the Beginning, the holy place of light, and the domain of he Black Luster Soldier." He points to the left. "To the west, there's the Temple of the End, sacred place of all that is dark, and home of the Chaos Emperor Dragon." He then points straight forward, towards the base of some mountains. "At the base of those mountains, known as the Chaos Range, is the Temple of Balance. That is where the Will of Chaos lives." He then points to the top of the mountains, "But straight up is our destination, the Temple of Eternity, the throne of the Chaos Deity. That is where the final duel between the first Lord of Chaos and the Chaos Emperor Dragon took place. That is where the intruder controls the realm from."

Yuni nods. "Those mountains are pretty far."

Apep nods in agreement. "Yes, it'll be a long trek out there, and then we must climb the mountain. We should set out immediately."

"Alright, let's go."

Yuni and Apep are walking through the Realm of Chaos. It seems that there is nothing anywhere within sight, save the Chaos Range. Suddenly, a roar is heard off in the distance. Yuni asks, "What was that!?"

Apep looks up in the sky. He says seriously "The realm is full of light and dark monsters. We must be careful. I am sure that they were sent to eliminate us. Be ready."

Suddenly above, three monsters are seen flying towards them. The monsters are Eclipse Wyvern (Light/Level 4/Dragon/Effect/ATK 1600/DEF 1000), Darkflare Dragon (Dark/Level 5/Dragon/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 1200), and Lightpulsar Dragon (Light/Level 6/Dragon/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 1500). Apep exclaims, "It's the Dragons of Chaos!"

Yuni asks, "Who!?"

"The Dragons of Chaos, they're an elite corps of dragons trained by the Chaos Emperor Dragon himself. They must have been sent to destroy us! Get ready for battle Yuni!" Apep raises up his arm with his Duel Gauntlet and opens the deck case attached to it.

Yuni tries to do the same, but realizes that he doesn't have his Duel Gauntlet on. Yuni exclaims, "Apep, I don't have my deck! It didn't come with me!"

"Just focus Yuni. Focus on your deck. It will appear."

Yuni closes his eyes. Suddenly in a flash of black and white light, Yuni's Duel Gauntlet appears on his wrist, and his deck case on his belt. "Sweet."

The three dragons get close and stop. Apep demands, "I am the Lord of Chaos, what is your business here!?"

Lightpulsar Dragon says in a booming voice, "We have come to exterminate you. Show no mercy!" The three dragons each launch an attack. Yuni and Apep dodge out of the way.

Apep whips a card out of his deck case and holds it up. "I summon Chaos-Tech Twilight Sorcerer (Dark/Level 6/Machine/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 2000)!" Apep's monster appears, as a real monster, in front of him.

Yuni exclaims, "Whoa! You just summoned a real monster!"

Apep says, "Focus Yuni, you must do the same!"

"Oh, right." Yuni opens the deck case on his belt and pulls out a card. "I summon the Cyber-Tech Magician (Dark/Level 7/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2100)!" Yuni's monster also appears as a real monster.

Apep commands, "Twilight Sorcerer, attack Eclipse Wyvern! Chaos Enchantment!" The monster gathers light and dark energy in its hands, and then fires it at the monster. The Eclipse Wyvern attempts to dodge, but fails, and is destroyed.

The Lightpulsar Dragon roars in anger and unleashes an attack at Twilight Sorcerer. Apep commands, "Out of the way, now!" Apep's monster dodges.

The Darkflare Dragon takes the chance to launch an attack against Yuni, who is focusing on Apep. Apep notices and shouts, "Yuni, look out!" Yuni looks up and sees the attack, and dodges just in time.

Yuni shouts, "Thanks!" He focuses on his monster, "Cyber-Tech Magician, use Cyber Magic Attack on Darkflare Dragon!" Yuni's monster launches its attack and destroys the monster.

The Lightpulsar Dragon roars in supreme anger. "How dare you mortals destroy my comrades!? You shall be destroyed." It launches a beam of light at Twilight Sorcerer.

Yuni shouts, "Cyber-Tech Magician, counter attack, now!" Cyber-Tech Magician movies in between the attack and Apep's monster, and then launches its attack. Both attacks impact each other and cancel out. "Finish this off Apep!"

Apep says, "Alright, Twilight Sorcerer, activate your effect, Twilight Banishment!" Apep's monster creates a void that swallows up the Lightpulsar Dragon.

As its being sucked into the void, the Lightpulsar Dragon shouts, "You two shall not succeed. You will be destroyed!" It completely disappears.

Yuni exclaims, "Wow Apep, that was awesome!"

Apep responds, "You must be more careful Yuni. I have not told you this yet, but you are a mortal in a realm of immortals. If a monster's attack hits you, or if you lose a duel while in this dimension, your soul shall be lost forever."

Yuni instantly loses his excitement. "Oh, I didn't realize. I'll be more careful in the future."

"Do not worry Yuni. You are not used to this type of scenario. Just know, that in the Realm of Chaos, a mortal soul is very fragile. The slightest-"

Suddenly a voice interrupts, "So, you managed to defeat the Dragons of Chaos? How interesting."

Apep demands, "Who's there!? Reveal yourself!"

Suddenly, the monster Chaos Sorcerer appears out of nowhere. He laughs. "My lord expected that the Dragons of Chaos would be more than enough to take you out. I thought otherwise, so I was told to oversee and interfere if necessary."

Yuni demands, "And who might you be? Is that another Duel Monster?"

Apep says, "That is the Chaos Sorcerer. He is also known as the Servant of Chaos. He is the one that my Chaos-Tech Twilight Sorcerer is based on. His sole purpose is to serve the Chaos Deity and his envoys."

Chaos Sorcerer says, "Enough back story. I came here to duel and destroy you. Who's first?"

Yuni start to step up, put Apep puts his arm in front of him and says, "No Yuni, you are not used to dueling in this realm. Let me handle this. We must approach this with extreme caution. During the Chaos Wars, the Chaos Sorcerer took the side of the Chaos Emperor Dragon."

The Chaos Sorcerer says angrily, "And my lord has never forgiven me for that. That should all change though, if I manage to destroy you."

Apep says, "You see Yuni, let me handle this."

Yuni nods. "Alright. Good luck Apep."

Apep steps forward. "I shall except your challenge."

"Perfect. Let us begin." Chaos Sorcerer holds up its arm in front of its body and a magical projection of a deck of cards appears on top of his wrist, where a Duel Gauntlet would go. Apep activates his Duel Gauntlet.

The Duel Computer says, "Duel now underway. Apep vs. the Chaos Sorcerer. Scanning decks…decks accepted. Commence dueling."

Chaos Sorcerer says, "I shall take the first move." He draws. His Duel Screen is made of a white and black swirl of energy with his cards displayed on it. "I summon Eclipse Knight (Light/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 1700/DEF 1200)." The monster that appears on the field is a knight wearing black and white armor. On its chest plate is an emblem of the sun being half covered by the moon. "I should tell you now, all of my Eclipse monsters count as both a Light and a Dark monster while on the field. Then I'll just set a card, and complete my turn (Chaos Sorcerer's hand: 4)."

Apep draws. "I summon Chaos-Tech Umbral (Dark/Level 4/Machine/Effect/ATK 1000/DEF 300)." The monster is a squat, hunched over robot, that is colored like a shadow. It has sharp claws and spikes on its back. "When I summon Chaos-Tech Umbral, I'm allowed to special summon a Light attribute Chaos-Tech monster from my hand. I summon Chaos-Tech Monk (Light/Level 5/Machine/Effect/ATK 2100/DEF 1400)." This monster is an android in a meditative stance. It glows with light. "Now Chaos-Tech Monk, attack Eclipse Knight!" Apep's monster creates a beam of light that fires at the other monster.

Chaos Sorcerer says, "I activate my facedown card, Attack Eclipse! I can only activate this card if I control both a Light and a Dark monster, which since my monster counts as both, I do. This card negates your attack and destroys all monsters you control."

Apep says, "Since I control a Dark type monster, my Chaos-Tech Monk is unaffected by trap cards!"

"Fine, but your Umbral is destroyed anyways." Apep's monster vanishes in a flash of black and white.

"But my attack still goes through!" Apep's attack hits Eclipse Knight and destroys it (Chaos Sorcerer's LP: 3600). "Now I'll set a card of my own and end my turn (Apep's hand: 3)."

The Chaos Sorcerer draws. "I summon Eclipse Mage (Dark/Level 4/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 1500/DEF 1300)." The monster wears robes that are primarily purple with a gold trim. A shroud covers most of its face and it holds a staff that has the eclipsed sun emblem on the tip. "By banishing the Eclipse Knight in my grave, I can activate its effect, and double the attack of one of my face up, level four or lower Eclipse monsters until the end of your next turn (ATK: 3000). Attack Chaos-Tech Monk now!" The monster raises its staff and sends a beam of combined light and dark energy at Apep's monster. The monster is destroyed (Apep's LP: 3100). "That's not the end of the onslaught. When my Eclipse Mage inflicts battle damage, I can summon one banished Eclipse monster. Return, Eclipse Knight!" A vortex of light and darkness opens up, and Chaos Sorcerer's monster emerges from it. "Now my knight, attack the pathetic Lord directly!" The monster moves in to attack.

Apep denies, "No! I activate my facedown, Chaos Intrigue! Since I have a Light and a Dark monster in my graveyard, I can activate this continuous card! It negates any direct attack you might declare against me."

Chaos Sorcerer comments, "That card might have saved you this time, but I have an extensive knowledge of every single Chaos style card there is, and I happen to know that if a single card in your grave is banished, that card is destroyed. It is next to impossible not banish a monster in a Chaos style deck. That card won't help you for long. Let me assure you, I exist for one purpose, and one purpose alone. I live to serve my masters, and they demand of me that I defeat you. You will not be walking away from this duel (Chaos Sorcerer's hand: 4)."

Apep draws. "You are not the only one with a knowledge of Chaos. I have dedicated my life studying Chaos, and everything relating to it. You have met your match. You know, you go on and on about pleasing your master, but you don't even realize that what you're doing will no please them."

Chaos Sorcerer questions, "I think I know the desires of my masters more than you do. What do you know?"

"I know that during the Chaos Wars you sided with the Chaos Emperor Dragon, and still to this day, you have yet to return to the Chaos Deity's good graces. You have been serving the Chaos Deity for more than enough time to become a true member of the Rulers of Chaos, but you're not. That's because whenever the choice comes, you side with disbalance! You're not being controlled by the Deck of Chaos, only the Trinity is! You're choosing to side with darkness, and for that reason you'll never become an Envoy of Chaos!"

The Chaos Sorcerer shouts in pure anger, "No! You know nothing! Nothing at all! You are but an insignificant figurehead! Being the mortal Lord of Chaos means nothing! You don't know anything about the dynamics of the ruling class of Chaos! I am no lesser than an Envoy of Chaos!"

Apep raises an eyebrow at Chaos Sorcerer's outburst. "Well, about what you said before, you're right, my card won't be worth much once I banish a card. Luckily, banishing a card will help me more than harm me. By banishing either a Light or a Dark monster from my grave, such as Chaos-Tech Umbral, I can special summon Chaos-Tech Transcendent (Light/Level 6/Machine/Effect/ATK 2000/DEF 2000)!" The monster is an angelic robot that glows intensely. Chaos Intrigue is destroyed. "My monster gains 500 attack points for every one of my monsters that are banished (ATK: 2500). I won't end there. I activate Chaos Fuel! By banishing a monster in my grave, I can add 600 attack to a Light or Dark type monster I control until the end of the turn (ATK: 3100). And since I banished my Chaos-Tech Monk, my monster gains another 500 attack points (ATK: 3600)! Now Chaos-Tech Transcendent, attack Eclipse Mage!" Apep's monster gathers its energy and unleashes a massive beam of light at the opposing monster. The monster is destroyed (Chaos Sorcerer's LP: 3000). "Now I'll just set a card, and since it's the end of the turn, my monster loses its attack bonus (ATK: 3000) (Apep's hand: 2)."

Chaos Sorcerer draws. "You are a formidable opponent. Your knowledge of Chaos is commendable, but it pales in comparison to that of my intellect. Allow me to demonstrate. You were probably hoping that I wouldn't notice, but I have. Like your Chaos Intrigue, Chaos-Tech Transcendent has one major weakness. If I posses more banished cards than you do, your monster is automatically destroyed. I shall now exploit that weakness. First I'll activate Coming Eclipse. This card allows me to send an Eclipse monster straight from my deck to my grave. I'll send Eclipse Spirit. Now, by banishing all Light and Dark attributed monsters from my field and graveyard, I special summon Eclipse Abomination (Dark/Level 7/Fiend/Effect/ATK ?/DEF ?)!" The monster on Chaos Sorcerer's side of the field turns into an orb of light. It is joined by another orb of light and an orb of darkness from the graveyard. The three orbs combine into swirling vortex. Out of the vortex a large fiendish beast steps. It has massive spikes on its back, and large red eyes. It is colored dark purple and has a black aura. "This mighty monster has its attack become equal to all of the monsters banished to summon it times 700 (ATK: 2100). That's not the end of it however, for when I banish Eclipse Spirit to summon a monster, that monster gains 500 attack points (ATK: 2600). Then, on top of all of that, I now have more banished monsters than you, meaning…" Apep's monster destroys itself.

Apep says, "Well, if you're such an expert of Chaos style cards, than you should know what happens next."

The Chaos Sorcerer nods. "Yes, indeed. Since your monster was destroyed by a card effect, it allows you to return two of your banished monsters to the grave."

"That's correct. I'll return Umbral and Monk to the grave."

Chaos Sorcerer shrugs it off. "Oh well, I feel it was worth the cost, especially since I can attack directly now. Go my beast, direct attack!" The monster charges at Apep and smashes down with its fists (Apep's LP: 500)." As soon as Apep's life point counter hits below 1000, Apep starts to fade away. He begins to fade in and out of existence.

Yuni exclaims in shock, "Apep! What's happening to you!?"

Apep looks down at himself. He reassures, "Do not worry Yuni. This is normal."

"What do you mean normal!? You're fading away!"

Apep says, with some pain and weakness in his voice, "Yes, I am, aren't I? Do not worry. As I said before. In a duel in this dimension, your life points are your life. Since mine have dropped below 1000, my life force is beginning to fade. But don't worry, as long as they don't drop to zero, I'm fine, and I'll recover at the end of the duel." Apep winces in pain.

Yuni sighs. "Alright, just be careful. I don't want to lose you again."

"Don't worry Yuni. You won't. I promise."

Chaos Sorcerer mocks, "Aw, isn't that sweet? Too bad I'll have to force you to break that promise. I end my turn (Chaos Sorcerer's hand: 2)."

Apep, as if in pain, struggles to draw his card. He thinks, I can't let it end here. For Yuni's sake. I can't leave him now. He's not ready…yet. He says aloud, "I summon Chaos-Tech Guardian in defense mode (Dark/Level 4/Machine/Effect/ATK 0/DEF 2000)!" Apep's monster is a heavily-built machine, that has the appearance of an armor-plated robot. It's colored black. "Then I'll end my turn (Apep's hand: 2)."

Chaos Sorcerer draws. "An interesting card choice. The Chaos-Tech Guardian cannot be destroyed in battle by either Light or Dark type monsters, which all of my monster happen to be. I think that that means its time for me to take some more…drastic measures. I activate Eclipse Force. By tributing an Eclipse monster I control, I can return one banished monster to my grave and add one Light or Dark type monster from my deck to my hand. I'll return Eclipse Spirit, and add a very special card. A special card which I will now summon by banishing the Light type Eclipse Spirit and the Dark type Eclipse Abomination. I summon the Chaos Sorcerer (Dark/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 2000)!" The Chaos Sorcerer steps in front of his Duel Screen.

Yuni shouts out, "Hey, he just summoned himself! Can he do that? Isn't that cheating or something?"
Apep says, "Not at all Yuni. He is a Duel Monster after all." He adds snidely, "But that's about all he is, since he's not yet an Envoy of Chaos. He has yet to become a god."

Chaos Sorcerer says with anger, "Shut up you filthy mortal! I told you before, I'm just as good as any Envoy of Chaos! I will not be considered inferior! I am more than merely a monster on a card!"

Apep says, "Oh yeah, prove it!"

"I will! I evolve myself!" Chaos Sorcerer begins to glow and morph. While transforming he says, "I Evolution Summon Ultimate Chaos Sorcerer - Envoy of the Eclipse (Dark/Level 8/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 2500)!" The glow ceases. Standing where the Chaos Sorcerer used to stand is a new monster. It robes are much more magnificent and exaggerated than before. They are now colored gold and dark purple. Gold and dark purple energy emanates from it. "I told you, I'm a full fledged Envoy of Chaos now! I activate my effect! Once per turn, I can banish a monster you control, and then inflict damage to you equal to that monsters attack points!" Chaos Sorcerer holds up its arm and a vortex opens up around Apep's monster and swallows it."

Apep says, "It would appear that I'm lucky that my monster had no attack points, and that your monster's effect prevents it from attacking now."

Chaos Sorcerer looks completely shocked. "So…it…would appear. Fine. I equip myself with Ecliptic Evolution, which prevents me from devolving at the end of the turn, which is now (Chaos Sorcerer's hand: 1)."

Apep smiles. He says, "So it would appear on the surface that you have become an Envoy of Chaos, however, I know better. You did not perform a Chaos Evolution. That means that your current form is not sanctioned by the Will of Chaos. You're a fake. Allow me to show you the true power of Chaos!" Apep thinks, Will of Chaos, grant me your power. My time has not yet come. There is so much more I must teach Yuni first. Gold and purple energy begins to swirl around Apep's hand. He declares, "Chaos Draw!" He draws. "I activate my facedown card, Chaos-Tech Discord! This card allows me to send one Chaos-Tech monster from my deck to my grave! I send Chaos-Tech Duality! When I banish Duality, it counts as both a banished Light, and a banished Dark type monster, meaning I can banish it in order to summon the card I just drew! Come forth, Chaos-Tech Twilight Sorcerer (Dark/Level 6/Spellcaster/Effect/ATK 2300/DEF 2000)!" Apep's mechanical version of Chaos Sorcerer appears on the field.

Chaos Sorcerer says, "What do you plan on doing with that rip-off of a monster?"

"I plan on using its effect! I banish you!" Apep's monster creates a void that sucks Chaos Sorcerer of the field. After a few moments, he reappears behind his Duel Screen, but back in his original form.

Chaos Sorcerer says, "Alright, fine. You destroyed me, but now you can't attack. I'll just do something next turn to shut you down again."

Apep says, "No, because I'm thinking my strategy out. I banish Chaos-Tech Umbral and Monk in order to perform a Chaos Evolution!" Energy swirls around Apep's hand and form into a card. He activates the card, and his monster begins to change. "I summon Ultimate Chaos-Tech Twilightmancer (Light/Level 9/Machine/Evolution/ATK 3000/DEF 2700)! Since this is a new monster, it can attack you! Attack the Chaos Sorcerer directly!" Apep's monster launches its attack straight at Chaos Sorcerer (Chaos Sorcerer's LP: 0).

The Duel Computer says, "Apep has reduced his opponent's life points to zero and wins the duel."

Chaos Sorcerer says in shock, "How!? How could you beat me!?"

Apep, who is no longer fading out of existence, says, "You let your anger duel for you. You could have used the same strategy I used to beat you, and won. However, you got so angry and wanted to prove yourself superior so badly that you let it get in the way of your judgment. You do not have to follow Konton. Help Yuni and I dethrone him! You'll earn the favor of the Chaos Deity for sure!"

Chaos Sorcerer looks confused. He shouts in denial, "You're just trying to play tricks on me! I won't fall for them!" Chaos Sorcerer opens a portal and steps through it to escape.

Yuni walks up to Apep. He says, "Good job Apep. I can see why you're the Lord of Chaos, the way you exploited his weakness."

"Thank you Yuni." Apep looks up towards the golden-orange sky. He comments, "We should be getting some rest soon. Nighttime is upon us."

Yuni looks around and comments, "But the sky still looks like sunset."

Apep nods. "The Realm of Chaos remains in a constant state of twilight. The only time that night falls, is when Darkness has completely taken over the Balance. However, we still need sleep regardless. Come on, there are some caves over this way that we can sleep in." Yuni follows Apep out.