Chapter 2
"Well Astral," Telgu spoke up. The battle was still raging around them, so he had to speak loud. "What are you doing here?" This sentence sounded a little too friendly to Nitak, directed to a guy who just killed six of their soldiers.
"Seven Barian Emperors, Lord Eliphas gave me the order to kill you," Astral replied.
Nitak took a stolen look onto the other Emperors faces. They looked dumbfounded the same way as Nitak felt. Eliphas sent one general to take out all Seven Emperors? He couldn't quite believe that.
As no one responded, Astral kept on talking: "I would like to start now, please. Which one of you wanna try to defeat me first?" He took a few steps back, getting ready for a duel. His D-Pad was merely a blue conical object on his arm.
"No one of us is going to lose. I will take care of you personally," This words surprised the Emperors, also some of the soldiers around stopped their duels to watch. It was Telgu who said this, who took his place opposite Astral and readied his D-Pad, he had obtained his one from Nasch, a long time ago.
Astral: 4000 LP
Telgu: 4000 LP
"Astral, might you take the first turn?" The friendly voice with that Telgu spoke with Astral seemed to not only unnerve Nitak, as the other Emperors also grunted in rage.
"Well, if you think so. Draw. I Normal Summon my first Monster: 'Rank-Up Soldier 4'!" A warrior appeared on Astrals side of the field, wielding a spear and having a 4 carved into its armor. With its glowing blue body and radiant aura, this Monster was clearly of Astral World Origin.
Rank-Up Soldier 4 / Effect / Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 1000 ATK / 1000 DEF
"By revealing one 'Rank-Up-Magic' Spell in my hand, 'Rank-Up Soldier 4' can be treated as two Materials for an Xyz Summon." Astral revealed a copy of 'Rank-Up-Magic Astral Force' in his hand, a card Nitak knew a little bit too good, since every Astral Soldier used this card. Shortly afterwards, their opponents Monster split up into 2.
"Now," Astral went on, "I overlay my 'Rank-Up Soldier 4'!" The two Soldiers turned yellow and shot into the sky, darting into a galaxy shaped portal. "Xyz Summon! Arise, 'Number 39: Utopia'!"
A conical piece of armor escaped the portal, and turned shortly after into a white and yellow armored Warrior, a 39 carved into its shoulder plate, wielding a sword. One yellow Xyz Material cycled it.
Number 39: Utopia / Xyz / Rank 4 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 2500 ATK / 2000 DEF / 1 Xyz Material
"Well, this is impressive. Nice move, I admit." Telgu said, commenting Astrals last move.
"Glad you liked it. You will like this even more: I activate 'Rank-Up-Magic Astral Force'!" Astral inserted the infamous Spell into his D-Pad, shortly before his Monster turned yellow and flew into another galaxy shaped portal. "Rank-Up Xyz Change! The first step on our way to perfection! Arise, 'Rank-Up Number 39: Utopia Rise 6'!"
The Monster that emerged the portal looked proportional alike its previous form, however, the yellow of its armor was replaced with a glowing blue, also it acquired a radiant blue aura, highlighting its Astral affiliation. Additional to the Number 39 on its shoulder plate, it got the Number 6 on the other one. Its, now two, Xyz Materials transformed into blue, crystal like objects, which did not orbit the Monster any longer and levitated above it instead.
Number RU39: Utopia Rise 6 / Xyz / Rank 6 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 3000 ATK / 2500 DEF / 2 Xyz Materials
Nitak and the others stared at this new Monster in awe, while Telgu simply said: "Well, that was a good opening turn. Are you finished so far?"
"Almost," Astral replied, "I merely set one card face-down. Turn end." His set card appeared next to Utopia Rise.
"Then it is my turn I think. Draw." Telgu started and added the card to his hand, but then, Astral interrupted him: "I use the effect of Utopia Rise 6! By detaching one Xyz Material from it, it becomes indestructible by battle for the remainder of the turn, also any Battle Damage I take during this turn becomes Zero."
One of the blue Materials above Astrals Monster disappeared into his Monsters Aura.
Number RU39: Utopia Rise 6: 2 Xyz Materials → 1 Xyz Material
"Battle is not the only way to destroy a Monster." He took a short look at the cards in his hand, before he continued: "I Normal Summon 'Defender, the Magical Knight'!" An armored magician with a huge shield appeared on Telgus side of the field.
Defender, the Magical Knight / Effect / Level 4 / LIGHT / Spellcaster-Type / 1600 ATK / 2000 DEF
"Due to its effect, a Spell Counter is placed on it." The orb embed into the Monsters shield flared up.
Defender, the Magical Knight: 1 Spell Counter
"But it won't stay there very long." Telgu continued his turn. "I remove one Spell Counter from my side of the field, to Special Summon 'Spell Power Leech' from my hand." The Light in the shield was shut down, and a slimy creature appeared on the field. It had a similar crest on it as the shield of the Spellcaster.
Defender, the Magical Knight: 1 Spell Counter → 0 Spell Counters
Spell Power Leech / Effect / Level 1 / DARK / Spellcaster-Type / 0 ATK / 200 DEF
"Well," Astral commented this last move, "Now you have two weak Monsters with different levels. How do you want to defeat my Monster with that?"
Nitak chuckled in mind. This guy will get to know Telgu very soon. No Monster can stand against him, once he declared to destroy it.
"You will see soon. You know, using a Spell Counter Deck does not make sense without using Spell Cards. But I am not this average guy, who uses 'Magical Blast' or 'Magical Dimension'. No, I activate 'Southern Cross'!" He inserted a Spell Card into his D-Pad, which earned him a shocked look from Astral. "With it, I can make my Defender Level 10!"
Defender, the Magical Knight: Level 4 → Level 10
"My next card is also a Spell," Telgu went on, "I activate 'Galaxy Queens Light'! Now I can target one Level seven or higher Monster I control and make the Level of all Monsters I control equal to the targets. And since Defender is the only available target, I have to choose it. By this means, 'Spell Power Leech' will become Level 10 too."
Spell Power Leech: Level 1 → Level 10
"You know what comes now, right Astral?" Telgu asked politely, but with a small amount of taunt in his voice.
"You're Xyz Summoning, what else?" Astral replied also tauntingly, "So come at my Utopia, try to defeat it. You won't manage to."
"Let's see. I overlay my Level 10 'Defender the Magical Knight' and 'Spell Power Leech'!" Telgus Monsters turned fully purple and yellow and shot into a galaxy shaped portal. "Ascend from a higher plane, the embodiment of all the wonders of the Barian World! Arise, 'Number 101: Miracle Magician'!"
When the portal exploded, a purple and golden version of a Spell Counter descended from it. Once it reached its place beneath Telgu, it slowly started to crack, until it blasted off in a flash of light. Afterward, a magician was kneeling on its place, wearing a purple armor and a golden hood. It had several Spell Counter tattoos on its bare arms and on the wand it wielded. Two purple Xyz Materials cycled it.
Number 101: Miracle Magician / Xyz / Rank 10 / LIGHT / Spellcaster-Type / 3600 ATK / 3000 DEF / 2 Xyz Materials
"Now it comes to Number versus Number. I would really like to see what your Monster can do." Astral said, seeming not a bit impressed by Telgus Monster.
"I will show you, don't worry. I activate my Monsters effect by detaching one Xyz Material!" One of the purple Materials cycling it was absorbed through the magician's wand. "Now my Miracle Magician can distribute Spell Counters on the field, equal to the number of Spell Cards in my Graveyard. And because I have 'Southern Cross' and 'Galaxy Queen's Light', I can place 2 on my Magician." Two of Miracle Magicians tattoos started to glow.
Number 101: Miracle Magician: 2 Xyz Materials → 1 Xyz Material
Number 101: Miracle Magician: 0 Spell Counters → 2 Spell Counters
"I don't see the purpose in your moves, but keep going, its rather funny." Astral taunted, but Telgu did not care, he simply took another card from his hand and placed it in his D-Pad. "I activate 'Spell Power Grasp'! I place 1 Spell Counter on my 'Number 101: Miracle Magician' and because he places one on itself when a Spell Card is activated, sums up, he gets 2." Two more of its Tattoos started to glow.
Number 101: Miracle Magician: 2 Spell Counters → 4 Spell Counters
"Also, I can add another 'Spell Power Grasp' from my Deck to my hand." A card was exited from Telgus D-Pad.
"Everything's set up." he said, "I proceed to the Battle Phase, and use my 'Number 101: Miracle Magician' to attack your 'Number RU39: Utopia Rise 6'! 'Wonder Beam'!"
The hooded magician shot a beam of piercing light to Astrals Monster, which build up a barrier that blocked the attack.
"That was a foolish move. I told you that Utopia cannot be destroyed by battle, so..." Telgu interrupted Astral there: "...I got exactly what I wanted." As he said this, Miracle Magicians Tattoos started to glow. It had not quite the impact on Astral that Telgu may wanted, but he got at least a questioning look.
"See," The Barian Leader started to explain, "If my 'Number 101: Miracle Magician' battles with a Monster that is not destroyed by battle, it destroys it immediately, and also inflicts Damage to you equal to it's ATK." Once Telgu said this, the tattoos gave up a blinding light, which destroyed 'Number RU39: Utopia Rise 6' and drained Astral of most of his Life Points.
Astral: 4000 LP → 1000 LP
The Barian Army around them cheered its leader with an earsplitting noise and chanted: "Telgu is the Champ! Telgu is the Champ!"
Astral, however, seemed not visible taken back, as he got on his feet quickly and Telgu simply said: "I end my turn."
"No, you don't." Astral spoke up again, his voice carrying more anger than before: "I activate my Trap Card: 'Ascension Spiral'!" Yet another galaxy shaped portal opened up. "Since you destroyed one of my Xyz Monsters this turn, I can banish it to Rank it Up! Nearer and nearer to perfection! Arise, 'Rank-Up Number 39: Utopia Rise 8'!"
The chants immediately stopped as the portal exploded. It revealed clearly another Utopia Monster, however, it's armor has become more slender, and the mechanical wings on it's back were replaced by light blue angel wings.
Number RU39: Utopia Rise 8 / Xyz / Rank 8 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 3500 ATK / 3000 DEF
Now the Astral World Army was chanting and cheering. Nitak, however, noticed something strange, however, before he could say it, Malin did: "Why did he summon it in Defense Position?" "I think I know it," Intaka spoke up, "maybe it's because of Miracle Magicians effect. If Utopia would destroy it, it would have to battle it, and since Utopia wouldn't be destroyed by battle, that would trigger Miracle Magicians effect." "Maybe." Nitak said, "but we will see."
"My turn!" Astral went on. "I use the effect of 'Rank-Up-Magic Astral Force' in my Graveyard and add it to my hand instead of conducting a Normal Draw." Not that he had to explain, almost ever Astral Soldier used this card.
"Now I activate the effect of my 'Number RU39: Utopia Rise 8'! Once per turn, I can sacrifire my Battle Phase to attach one Xyz Monster my opponent controls to it as Xyz Material!"
The whole Barian Army, along with the Emperors and Telgu watched in shock as Utopia drew Miracle Magician and its remeaning Xyz Material to it and added them to itself.
Number RU39: Utopia Rise 8: 0 Xyz Materials → 2 Xyz Materials
"I see you didn't expect that. Well, but I am not finished. I activate my 'Rank-Up-Magic Astral Force'!" Utopia again flew into a Galaxy-shaped portal. "Nearer and nearer to the true perfection! Rank-Up Xyz Change! Arise, 'Rank-Up Number 39: Utopia Rise 10'!"
The portal exploded once again, this time the Monster looked even more streamlined and wielded two swords this time. Its angel wings gained a radiant blue shine. 3 Xyz Materials hovered above it.
Number RU39: Utopia Rise 10 / Xyz / Rank 10 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 4000 ATK / 3500 DEF / 3 Xyz Materials
"T-This thing could take out Telgu with a single strike!" Nitak gasped. Meza put his hand on his shoulder: "Yes, but remember that Astral cannot conduct his Battle Phase this turn, so Telgu is safe. And remember, it's Telgu."
Astral went on: "I activate the effect of 'Rank-Up Soldier 4' in my Graveyard. If a non-Rank 6 Monster is summoned by the effect of a Rank-Up-Magic, I can attach it to that Monster as Xyz Material." A card flew out of Astrals Graveyard and added itself to Utopias Xyz Materials.
Number RU39: Utopia Rise 10: 3 Xyz Materials → 4 Xyz Materials
Telgu however, was into the cards in his hand. One of the cards he had there was 'Spell Power Grasp', the other one 'Buster Magician'. Using this two cards, Telgu could wipe out Astrals remeaning Life Points in one attack.
"Well," Astral said, "Sadly I cannot conduct my Battle Phase this turn. But I won't need, since my next turn will come around soon."
"Don't forget, my turn will come before that and be sure that I..." Telgu spoke up, but Astral cut him off. "No it won't. I activate the effect of Utopia Rise 10, detaching four Xyz Materials to skip your next turn."
Telgu, the Emperors, the whole army stopped dead, silence engulfing the battlefield. It was Telgu to find his voice again, first. "Well, then this was a nice game. May I give my man some last orders?" "You may, but keep it short." As Astral said this, his Monster behind him began to absorb its Xyz Materials into its Aura.
Number RU39: Utopia Rise 10: 4 Xyz Materials → 0 Xyz Materials
"Listen to me now," Telgu raised his voice, so everyone could hear him. "I order a retreat." Most of the soldiers started to protest, but Telgu continued speaking. "I believe that you are some of the strongest fighters in all worlds. But now, you do not stand a chance against Astral and Eliphas."
"My turn again, draw," Astral went on and added his card to his hand.
"I honestly don't see any chance for us to win the war right now," Telgus voice was becoming more hurried, "but there is still a chance. Underneath our palace," he was now directly talking to Nitak and the other Emperors, "is a gate. You can escape through it. And when you reach the place it leads to, you can find a way to win this war! And now go! Hurry and GO!"
Telgu screamed the last part and none of the ones this was directed too hesitated to follow his Last Orders. The six leftover Emperors on the lead almost all off the Barian Soldiers started to run. Those that still were in a duel were quickly defeated and vanished while running. Nitak dared to take a look back and saw 'Number RU39: Utopia Rise 10' charging for an attack.
Knowing that Astral would come after them, once Telgu was finished, all of them ran as fast as their feet moved and after they ran for one or two minutes, they heard the ground-shaking impact and explosion of blue light that heralded Telgus doom.
Telgu: 4000 LP → 0 LP [LOSER]
They ran and ran and once their legs were burning and their lungs were close to collapse, they reached the palace. As Telgu told them, Nitak, Malin, Belle, Saphon, Intaka, Meza and the leftover of the Barian Army, only about 30 people, went directly into the basement and with a key Meza possessed, they opened a door into a strange room, which they locked and barricaded.
The room was completely empty, merely a sheet of paper, maybe a map, was lying on one of the sides. When Saphon picked it up, he found it unusable, as it was completely blank, however, they decided to keep it. On the other side of the room was another door, what must be the one Telgu meant. It was not locked, but behind it was an absolute blackness. You could hold your hand into it, it disappeared until you pulled it out again.
"BOOM!" There was a noise at the door that made all those present flinch. The Astral Army must have found them. Some of the Soldiers, along with Belle and Intaka wanted to fight, but then Meza spoke up: "Remember what Telgu said! Remember his last orders before he DIED! And respect them! We will come back. We will take our land back."
That did it.
One after another, all soldiers disappeared through the door. Also the Emperors did. Being the last one, Meza somehow destroyed the door, so the Astral Army couldn't follow them. And all of them were thinking the same: 'We will come back. We will take our land back.'
Author-made cards:
Rank-Up Soldier 4 / Effect / Level 4 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 1000 ATK / 1000 DEF
You can reveal 1 "Rank-Up-Magic" Spell Card in your hand; During this turn, this card can be treated as 2 Monsters for an Xyz Summon. If this card is in your Graveyard and a Monster is Summoned by the effect of a "Rank-Up-Magic" Spell Card, except a Level 5 or 6 Monster: Attach this card to the Monster as Xyz Material. You can only use 1 "Rank-Up Soldier 4" effect per turn and only once that turn.
Spell Power Leech / Effect / Level 1 / DARK / Spellcaster-Type / 0 ATK / 200 DEF
Can be Special Summoned (from your hand) by removing any number of Spell Counters from your side of the field. If Special Summoned this way, this cards Level becomes equal the number of Spell Counters removed by this effect.
Buster Magician / Effect / Level 4 / FIRE / Spellcaster-Type / 1600 ATK / 1400 DEF
If a Spell Card is activated: Place 1 Spell Counter on this card. You can tribute this face-up card: Inflict 500 Life Points Damage to your opponent for each Spell Counter on this card.
Number RU39: Utopia Rise 6 / Xyz / Rank 6 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 3000 ATK / 2500 DEF
2 Level 6 Monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle, except with a "Number" Monster. Once per turn, during your opponents Standby Phase: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; Until the End Phase, Monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle, also, you take no Battle Damage. If this card has an "Utopia" Xyz Monster as Xyz Material, it gains this effect: ● If this card would be destroyed or banished by the effect of a Spell or Trap Card: You can discard 1 card, this card is not destroyed.
Number RU39: Utopia Rise 8 / Xyz / Rank 8 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 3500 ATK / 3000 DEF
2 Level 8 Monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle, except with a "Number" Monster. Once per turn, during your Main Phase: You can target 1 face-up Xyz Monster your opponent controls, attach it to this card as Xyz Material. (Xyz Materials of that Monster also become Xyz Materials of this card.) You cannot conduct your Battle Phase the turn you activate this effect. If this card has an "Utopia" Xyz Monster as Xyz Material, it gains this effect: ● If an opponents Monster declares an attack: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, banish that Monster. You can banish Xyz Materials that are detached from this card.
Number RU39: Utopia Rise 10 / Xyz / Rank 10 / LIGHT / Warrior-Type / 4000 ATK / 3500 DEF
2 Level 10 Monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle, except with a "Number" Monster. Once per turn, during either players turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to negate the effects of all face-up cards your opponent controls, until the End Phase. If this card has an "Utopia" Xyz Monster as Xyz Material, it gains this effect: ● During your End Phase: You can detach 4 Xyz Materials from this card: Your opponents next turn is skipped.
Number 101: Miracle Magician / Xyz Rank / 10 / LIGHT / Spellcaster-Type / 3600 ATK / 3000 DEF
2 Level 10 Monsters
Cannot be destroyed by battle, except with a "Number" Monster. If a Spell Card is activated, place 1 Spell Counter on this card. Once per turn, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card: Distribute Spell Counters on face-up cards on the field you can place Spell Counters on equal to the number of Spell Cards in your Graveyard. You cannot place Spell Counters on this card by this effect, except if this card is the only available target. This card gains the following effects, according to the number of Spell Counters on it: ● 4+: If this card battles an opponents Monster, and that Monster is not destroyed by Battle: Destroy it, then inflict Damage to your opponents Life Points equal to that Monsters ATK. ● 8+ Once per turn, target 1 Monster your opponent controls; It cannot be destroyed by battle. If it is destroyed by a card effect: Inflict Damage to your opponents Life Points equal to that Monsters DEF.
Now it is getting started.
Say Hi to the Rank-Up Numbers. They came out of the thought what Astrals Deck would be like if he never met Yuma. And since Eliphas, the only other canon Astral we know the Deck from used the power of his 'clear' and chaos-less Rank-Up, I thought of letting Astral do the same.
Rank-Up Soldier 4 is not the only Rank-Up Soldier. You will encounter others too. The next will be Rank-Up Soldier 3 I think, but it will be quite some time until then.
If you have some imagination, you will know where this door is leading to. Do you?