Author's note: Wow, 2 follows, a favorite, and 1 real review already! I'm glad to see some interest. Also, an explanation: I will be using more literal translations of card names, as opposed to their official English names throughout the story. This isn't so much preference as consistency, since I'm referring to the Jikaishin as "Temporal Machine Gods" rather than "Timelords".
I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or any of its spinoffs, cards, or characters.
"And that is why we are here now." said Z-one, finishing his explanation.
"You mean to say," asked Aporia, "that after all we did, we are to be given another chance?"
Antinomy was the first to reply. "Rather than questioning it, shouldn't we be trying to make the best use of this opportunity?"
Paradox chimed in next. "That aside, I still don't understand. How is it that our God could be defeated?"
"I was never a god", responded Z-one. "I was, at best, a foolish man, and now even less than that. As for my defeat, you yourself battled Yusei Fudo. You know very well the power he held. Even my power was no match for his hope. And, of course, he was right. The world survived, not because of destruction, but because of the potential of mankind. However, it seems that potential is once again being consumed by greed and hatred. Antinomy is right: we must focus on the present rather than dwelling on the past."
"Lord Z-one..." replied Paradox. "I understand. I will continue to follow your guidance."
"Lord Z-one?" Z-one thundered angrily. "I am nobody's lord, nobody's master. Merely a fool who led us all to ruin. I have no right to claim such a title."
Aporia, with a sympathetic look, responded, "Z-one. It is true that you may have not made the best decisions. It is true that you are no God. However, we were the ones who chose to follow your destructive orders. We were the ones who called your God. And, though that much may not be true, we are still Yliaster, and you are still our leader."
"Aporia... Yes, you are right. I was a fool, but I have seen the error of my ways. I am the leader of Yliaster. I will lead humanity in the right direction! That is my destiny! That is our destiny!"
"Z-one, I hate to interrupt, " said Antinomy, "but I was looking through my deck and I noticed there were no Speed Spells anywhere. What could this mean?"
Paradox theorized, "I suppose that means the people of this time no longer perform Riding Duels. Do we know when it is, by the way?"
"104 years since my death, according to my internal sensors." answered Aporia. "By the way, I don't know about Riding Duels, but our D-Wheels are still in Ark Cradle. I can sense mine, at the very least, in room T-12."
Aporia, Antinomy, and Z-one began to depart to that room, but Paradox was hesitant. "Wait a moment. If people no longer perform Riding Duels, then Antinomy, doesn't that mean..."
"... that I can't perform Accel Synchro?" finished Antinomy. "No, I suppose not. Outside of Riding Duels, I have no way of achieving the necessary speed. I apologize, Z-one, but I fear I will be as useful to you as I had hoped."
"Indeed, it would be quite the setback. There must be another way for you to perform Accel Synchro. When you have the chance, see if Aporia can help you solve it; his Machine Emperors may lead you to a breakthrough. For now, though, let us retrieve our D-Wheelers and see how the world of man has changed."
About 10 minutes later, the four lords of Yliaster made their way to T-12. "You didn't have to come all this way, Z-one." said Aporia, opening the door. "After all, your D-Wheeler is part of your body, is it not?" Inside the room was not only Aporia's but also Antinomy and Paradox's D-Wheelers, each of which were claimed by their owners as Z-one responded.
"Not at all. I have not seen any of you, the only people I ever trusted, for over a hundred years. I would not squander such an opportunity, even if it is unnecessary. Now then, are we ready? The world of mankind awaits us once again."
As Yliaster flew outside of Ark Cradle, floating above the city, they noticed a large crowd assembled below them.
"They already noticed us, it would seem," said Aporia, amused. "Let us give them a proper greetings."
As the four androids touched down in the middle of the awed crowd, a man in a black suit approached them. "Greetings, people from the floating fortress. I am Hiroshi Kimura, representative of the Tanaka Corporation. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to our city of Ueda, and I hope you will enjoy all that Tanaka has to offer. But enough formalities, there is only one true way to welcome someone here. Mika! Come here!"
A young woman in a formal, grey jacket ran up to Hiroshi and handed him a Duel Disk. Placing it on his wrist, Hiroshi continued to address Yliaster. "I do not know who you are or where you are from, but I have a feeling that you're duelists. So then, please, face me!"
The lords of Yliaster consulted among themselves for a moment before Aporia stepped forward, his Duel Disk emerging from his arm. "I am Aporia, once called the Guardian of Despair. I shall accept your challenge."
"A strange and auspicious title. In any case, shall we begin?"
"Very well. Duel commence!"
(Aporia 4000 LP, Hiroshi 4000 LP)
"Since this is your city, I'll let you have the first move," offered Aporia.
"As you wish." replied Hiroshi. "Since I'm taking the first move, I don't draw a card on my first turn, so I'll go directly to my Main Phase 1. Behold, as I summon Marauding Captain!" (1200 Atk/400 Def/Level 3)
Hiroshi placed the card on his Duel Disk and a hologram of the dual-wielding warrior appeared. "And, " Hiroshi continued, "due to the effect of Marauding Captain, I can Special Summon a level 4 or lower monster from my hand. I select Dark Tinker, in Attack Position!" (1000 Atk/1300 Def/Level 2)
The multiarmed demon joined Marauding Captain on the duel field, as Paradox turned and whispered to Z-one. "Look at the crowd. Every item of clothing, every bag, every item. Everything says Tanaka on it."
Antinomy added, "Their representative did mention this as 'their city'. It would seem that this one company controls the entire area."
"Typical humans and their greed," said Z-one. "Just look at how the crowd is reacting. I see nothing but fear in their eyes, fear of these humans who use money to place themselves on such a high pedestal above other humans. It is no coincidence that this is where we awoke, for this place is in desperate need of our assistance. Look also at that child over there, how ragged her clothing. These people are being exploited, unable to even buy clothing for their children. As Yliaster, we can – no, we must – right this wrong, lest mankind bring itself once again to ruin."
Back in the duel, Hiroshi continued his turn. "Now then, here's something I'll wager you weren't expecting: my Dark Tinker is a Tuner monster! That means I can perform a Synchro Summon! Level 2 Dark Tinker tunes level 3 Marauding Captain. Come forth, Ally of Justice Catastor!" (2200 Atk/1200/Def/Level 5) "Not only does Catastor have 2200 Attack Points, but any non-DARK monster that dares battle it will be instantly destroyed! Just try to get over that! I end my turn."
"A Synchro Monster, is it?" asked Aporia. "I have been away from mankind for over a hundred years, and yet it seems you still insist on dooming yourself with those infernal monsters. Allow me to put you in your place. I draw. Now then, I summon Wise Core!" (0 Atk/0 Def/Level 1)
"Jealous, are you? Normally, only elite duelists possess Synchro Monsters, but since I'm with Tanaka Corp., I can use them too!"
"Jealous, of a foolish human leading himself ever closer to his own destruction? Hardly. Now then, allow me to show you – that Synchro Monsters lead to naught but ruin! I activate the Spell Card Chaos Bloom! This card's effect varies based on the number of Chaos Blooms in my Graveyard. Since there aren't any, Chaos Bloom will allow me to destroy a monster with 1000 or less Attack Points, namely Wise Core!" As Aporia pointed to the egg-like monster, it exploded.
"First you summon a monster with no Attack Points, then you destroy it? You talk big, but you have no idea what you're actually doing!" retorted Hiroshi.
"You say that only because you cannot comprehend my power. But, now you shall see it, in its full glory! When Wise Core is destroyed by a card effect, from my Hand, Deck, or Graveyard, I can Special Summon Wisel Attack (1200 Atk/0 Def), Wisel Guard (0 Atk/1200 Def) , Wisel Carrier (800 Atk/600 Def), Wisel Top (500 Atk/0 Def), and Machine Emperor Wisel ∞ (0 Atk/0 Def)! Now, Wisel ∞ , merge!" The five monsters Aporia summoned fused together, creating the Machine Emperor. (2500 Atk/2500 Def)
"How did that monster get so strong?" asked Hiroshi.
"Simple." replied Aporia. "Machine Emperor Wisel ∞ gains Attack and Defense equal to the combined Attack of all its parts."
"Which means it's stronger than my Synchro Monster? That can't be!"
"Oh, it's far worse than that. I activate Wisel's special ability. Behold now, and see the despair that Synchro Monsters bring! Once per turn, Wisel can absorb one Synchro Monster on the field, gaining that monster's Attack Points!" (Wisel 2500-4700 Attack)
"But that means... !"
"Precisely. Wisel has 4700 Attack, while you have only 4000 Life Points remaining, and no monster left to protect you. Meklord Emperor Wisel ∞, attack him directly!" At Aporia's command, Wisel materialized a white blade from its right hand, swinging at Hiroshi and knocking his Life Points directly to 0.
"Uuargh!" screamed the defeated businessman. "You... you will regret this insult to Tanaka Corporation! Mika, let's go back to HQ for now!" Hiroshi stormed off, followed by his assistant.
The assembled crowd stood stunned, until Z-one began to address them. "People of Ueda! We are Yliaster. Our mission is simple: we will correct the course of humanity by any means necessary. You have all seen the results of mankind's greed and corruption. People like Tanaka make millions while you live your lives barely able to fend for yourselves! Is this right? Is this proper? Each and every one of you knows that it is not! Yet, your powerless means that you are unable to act against it. But I tell you, no more! Follow us, and we will lead you to a proper society! Shun us, and be forever lost! The choice is yours."
Elsewhere in Ueda, a man sat in a dark room, typing on a computer, when another, shorter man entered, the lack of illumination hiding both their faces. The newcomer spoke to the typist. "Sir, about today's commotion, one of our agents was listening in to their conversation. They mentioned something about an 'Yliaster'."
"Yliaster?" shouted the other man, pounding his fist on the table. "How is it that those... No, this doesn't matter. Whatever games they are playing, it makes no difference. Our plans have come too far already. We cannot be stopped."