Well for what was one of the longest hiatus in history lol. Here is the next chapter for those still reading! As always I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! or Final Fantasy
Chapter 24: - Double Swap Duel Trial - Facing Down The Ultimate Destiny
"Duel!"
Kaiser - 8000 Tallia - 8000
"Since my sister went first in the last duel" Tallia said "I allow you the first move" She said bowing.
I wasnt listening.
I was looking down at the deck before I had even drawn my hand, just staring at it as if time had stood still.
"Crystal Beasts... Elemental Hero's... a duel for the first time since I got to Spira that has nothing on the line at all. No ones life at stake, no bullys', no temple champion to overcome, no robot to beat... a duel for fun. Its about time!"
"I draw!" I say drawing a full six cards. "I play Rainbow Fusion!" Without missing a beat.
The earth around us began to tremble as the field magic began to took effect, transporting us to a sight under a rainbow with the ten pedestals behind me, while the vortex of fusion was swirling slowly in the middle of the field.
"Next I play the Continuous Spell known as Crystal Hero Bond!"
As the card appeared on the field, it depicted Avian handshaking Sapphire Pegasus, or more accurately, the Pegasus giving a hoof shake in return.
"The bond between these two breed of monsters will now take form! For when I normal summon a Hero of Crystal Beast monster, I can special summon a monster from my deck with the same attribute, but of the different type of monster!"
I slap a card down onto my duel disk as the Crystal Hero Bond began to shine with power.
"Lets start with Elemental Hero Stratos!"
In a whirlwind arising from the earth came the new hero. Clad in a blue and white suit with a face mask and power turbines attached to its shoulders that whirled to give it flight from its small wings across its shoulders.
Elemental Hero Stratos 1800/300
"Now for the effect of Stratos! I can now add a Hero monster from my deck to my hand!" I say as I begin to search the deck. "So I choose Elemental Hero Prisma!"
Replacing the deck, I shuffle it briefly for a moment before taking it back again.
"Of course this allows me now to summon a Wind Attribute Crystal Beast with Hero Bond! So I summon Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus!"
With a shrill neighing, the white coloured winged horse appeared on the field, as it landed safely next to Stratos and bared its horn across the field.
Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus 1800/800
"This is rather strange" Pegasus said looking at me then to Tara on the sidelines.
"Strange maybe" I say smiling. "But this a duel after all! Sapphire Pegasus! Sapphire Calling!" I declare as the horn on my monsters head began to shine brightly.
"When Sapphire Pegasus is summoned, it adds a Crystal Beast in its Crystal form to my spell and trap zone! So I add from deck Ruby Carbuncle!"
In a flash of red light, a large red Ruby gem had formed on the field next to me, shining in the light of the rainbow overhead.
"This now grants me with a draw with Rainbow Fusion, and you five hundred life points" I say drawing. "This happens each time a player puts a card monster into thier spell and trap zone as a continous spell card"
Kaiser - 8000 Tallia - 8500
Looking at the cards I had draw as well as the rest of my hand, I take two from my hand and set them.
"I set two cards and end my turn. In the interest of fair play, I should tell you that Crystal Hero Bond denies me a battle phase during the turn I use it, not that it mattered this turn, as I pass"
There was several moments of silence as I observe Tallia, and I realised that she hadnt moved since I made my opening move. She had merely drawn her opening five cards and was stood there almost motionless. Looking over closely I notice that she infact had her eyes closed.
"Tallia?" I ask. "Its your move"
"I know" She said softly, before very slowly drawing a card. "I play Graceful Charity" She said holding up the card.
My eyes imediately widened as I realised that her eyes were still closed, further, she had not even turned the card around to examine it before she had played it!
"I sense your suprise Kaiser..." She said almost reading my thoughts. "I can see the future... and in it lies the fact that now I have played this spell card... you will not deal me a single point of damage on your next turn" She declares.
Reeling from her declaration, she continues by drawing three cards and quickly discarding two. Following this up she played two cards, once again without looking.
"I set a monster and a face down card" She said as a T shape of reverse cards formed on her field. "With these two in play you will not be able to to deal any damage until your third turn. I end"
"She's really creepy" Tidus said shivering at Tallia.
"Definitely ya" Wakka said echoing his statement.
"Do you think she really can see the future?" Yuna asked.
"Maybe" Lulu replied "Let us watch for now before we decide.
"Your sister has already moved towards summoning some of her strongest monsters I see from her discard" Belgemine said on the side-lines.
"You noticed too?" Allia replied.
"After seeing her duel countless times, it was never in doubt" Belgemine smiled.
"Kaiser" Belgemine thought. "How will you respond to this trial?"
As she ended her turn, I felt a feeling of neausea begining to form in the pit of my stomach. But it wasnt from the fact of her claims to see the future... it was over the cards she had discarded. I felt my eyes change as my vision seemed to magnifty towards her graveyard slot and enter the void there. Inside was pure black until I could see two massive and similar shapes next to each other, covered in a light and dark aura that made me shrink back in suprise as my sight returned to normal.
"I see now... whatever she discarded has massive power... but I cant let her throw me off my game!" I think
"I draw!" I declare, before pointing forward. "Sapphire Pegasus! Attack her monster! Sapphire Bright Horn!"
With a mighty flap of its wings, Sapphire Pegasus launched into the air to hover up the face down monster before releasing a energy lance from its horn. As the card flipped up, the area was engulphed in an explosion as Pegasus retreated to safety...
However the target was still there...
It was kneeling down in what looked like a purple suit, with almost goggle like eyes and a yellow gem stone on its forehead. But its hair was most unusual, it had a mass of almost tentacle like strands that seemed to flow in every direction at thier own accord.
Arcana Force 0 - The Fool 0/0
I felt an icy grip grab hold of my heart at the sight of that monster as I knew now what her deck held and why she had claimed she could see into the future.
It wasnt a claim.
It was true.
"You know of my deck?" Tallia spoke up, again as if reading my thoughts. "Rather suprising... however since you know I have no reason to deny it, my deck consists of the Arcana Force" She said before activating the face down card. "I activate Arcana Penance. This equps to The Fool. It is now the only Arcana Force monster you can attack, destroy or target with your cards"
Gritting my teeth, I realise that with The Fool's effect to not be destroyed by battle, she pretty much had control of the entire field. However I glanced at my hand and began to form a plan that would take advantage of The Fool provided I had the right pieces on my next turn.
"I end" I declare confident.
"Then I draw" She declares before adding the card to her hand.
Once again there appeared to be several moments of silence before Tallia spoke up.
"... Your attack on your next turn will deal me critical damage... However, by your own actions, you will not win on your next turn... however, the single card that will allow you to damage me is... Spark Blaster"
Feeling as if a hammer had just impacted my chest, I involuntarily stepped back at her declaration. Spark Blaster was infact the card that would bring everything together on my next turn. Without it I couldnt deal damage...
"Does that mean I will draw it?" I think. "No, I cant let her throw me off my game! I will not be drawn into this even if she can see the future!"
"There is no need to doubt me" Tallia said. "I can sense your doubt in my abilities, thinking I am merely trying to use subterfuge to win, however that is simply not true. I always have, and always will speak the truth... if it helps you any, I will return the damage you deal me next turn in kind, but if you do not damage me on your next turn, I will be unable to. Consider that however you please, for I end my turn"
I find my anger begining to rise at her words. Its no longer through doubt, but more of frustration. If she could see my move in advance, and then tell me what she would do in return, or what she couldnt do, then it was more frustrating with certainty than the mystery. At least then I wouldnt be second guessing myself. Reaching down, I put my hand on my deck.
"I draw!" I declare before playing the card "I also play Graceful Charity!"
Drawing my three cards, I see I had indeed drawn Spark Blaster amongst them. Looking at the cards in my hand, I had a choice. Enact the plan I had originally thought, or do something else to counter her predictions. Looking at the cards over and over, I felt anger rising as I shook my head and the doubt clear before discarding two cards.
"If what you say is true then lets see if you can back it up with your own counterattack! I summon Elemental Hero Prisma!"
The new hero appeared on the field in a ball of light as it took shape. Its entire body including its face was maid up of mirrors in various shapes and sizes. It also appeared to have mirror like wings from its back that were relecting its own image across the field.
Elemental Hero Prisma 1700/1000
"Prisma has an effect like no other! Reflect Change!" I say as Prisma's mirrors began to shine. "I now reveal Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman in my Extra Deck!" I say doing so. "Which allows me to send Elemental Hero Sparkman to the graveyard since it is listed as a fusion material monster"
Sending Sparkman from my deck to the graveyard, Prisma's mirrors began to light up as it changed shape to become the yellow lighting based monster named Elemental Hero Sparkman. I quickly activate another card once the transformation was complete.
"Heres the card you said I would use! Spark Blaster! This card only equips to Sparkman himself, however Prisma has just changed itself to be called Sparkman with its own effect!"
Upon activation, a large plasma gun appeared before Prisma which it quickly took up in its hand, before pointing it at The Fool across the field and firing. The Fool was struck by a lightning bolt and moaned in frustration as it was changed to attack mode.
"Since you knew the card, I see no introduction was needed for its effects! It has changed The Fool to attack mode!"
Taking a card from my hand, as well as Prisma and the equip card I send them to the graveyard as the fusion vortex began to swirl faster above the field.
"I now use Rainbow Fusion to fuse the Prisma on my field which is now named Sparkman, and the Fusion Substitute, King of the Swamp in my hand to fusion summon this monster!"
Prisma as Sparkman lept high into the air towards the vortex as another monster joined it, looking like a disembodied head and arms covered in ooze and sinking into the swamp as they began to fuse together.
"Meet my favourite Hero! Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman!"
Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman 2500/2100
In a mighty burst of light, the bright armored winged hero appeared onto the field once again, flexing its arms as it gave a loud warcry.
"Wingman gains three hundred attack points for each Hero in the graveyard, and with Prisma and Sparkman already there, and the Burstinatrix I discarded, thats nine hundred extra points!"
Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman 3400/2100
"We now both draw two cards via Rainbow Fusion" I say as we both draw our cards. With a smile I play one immediately. "I play O - Oversoul and summon back Elemental Hero Sparkman!"
This time to real Sparkman joined the fray as it appeared in a crackle of lightning energy as it made its first proper appearance in this duel.
Elemental Hero Sparkman 1600/1000
Elemental Hero Shining Flare Wingman 3100/2100
"And now! Lead the attack Shining Flare Wingman! Shining Shoot!" I say punching a fist forward.
At my command, Flare Wingman took a leap into the air to form a shining energy ball in its hands which it flung at The Fool, and upon impact, The Fool moaned loudly in pain as the attack dissapated giving off whisps of smoke, but it was unscathed and not destroyed.
Kaiser - 8000 Tallia - 5400
"I know your monster is not destroyed by battle! So take "Now to continue dealing even more damage! Monsters attack!"
Between the three remaining monsters, Stratos gave a whirlwind blast from its turbines, while Sparkman gave its electrical attack from its hand and Pegasus once more fired off its horn based energy attack. The Fool was pelted by all three attacks and survived each one, but looking more worse for wear after each one. The same could also have been said for Tallia's life points
Kaiser - 8000 Tallia - 200
"That's the way to do it!" Tidus said punching the air
"He's got her pretty much beaten!" Yuna exclaimed.
"Your all forgetting her statement" Auron said speaking up
"Sir Auron is right" Lulu added. "She said she would repay the damage she received"
"No way she can come back from that!" Tidus said.
"We shall see" Lulu replied.
Tara had been quiet to which Yuna seemed to notice
"Whats wrong Tara?" She asked
"Its just... Kaiser has been using my deck as if he knows it inside out"
"I thought that too" Lulu said raising an eyebrow
"How is that a problem if he's winning?" Tidus asked.
"Think about it" Tara responded "He hasn't read the effect of a single card I have, and he declared everything before even doing it. I know for a fact he hasn't seen every single card in my deck, so how can he know what to plan for unless he knew its full contents?"
"I think I understand" Yuna nods
"For now. Let us continue to watch" Auron spoke
"Kaiser has already sealed his fate" Allia smiled. "He's already fallen deep into her trap"
"It would appear so" Belgemine responded. "Pity, I had high hopes for him"
"I end my turn" I say folding my arms.
Feeling satisfied I had dealt such a massive amount of damage whether Tallia said I would or not, I noticed still that Tallia still had not moved. Her eyes were still closed and despite the fact that she appeared to be smoking with the damage she had recieved the same as The Fool, she did not appear to have so much as flinched.
"Exactly as I saw" Tallia said calmly, before pointing at The Fool. "Due to the final effect of Arcana Penance, during the End Phase, I can change the mode of my monster, so The Fool changes back to defence mode" She declares as The Fool once again takes a knee.
"Maybe so! But with that much damage I only need to do the smallest amount of damage on my next turn to win!" I declare.
"That maybe correct, but im afraid I will significantly close the gap on my next turn. Trap activate"
As Tallia's trap card flipped up onto the field, it immediately began to emit a shining aura while black smoke seemed to seep from the ground itself to swarm the field, creating a mist effect around our feet.
"My trap is Arcana Ultimate Force, and I know use the damage you dealt me as a means to return it to you... exactly as I predicted. Now since you dealt me eighty three hundred points of damage, I can now special summon monsters from my graveyard with total attack points that are below that threshold, disregarding thier summoning conditions"
"You dont have any!" I declare pointing forard, however I felt my knees go weak in realistion. "The monsters I sensed! You discarded two cards with Graceful Charity!"
"That is correct" Tallia responded as her graveyard slot glowed. Taking the cards from the slot, she held them in her hand high in the air. "I summon two Arcana Force Extra, The Light Ruler and The Dark Ruler"
In a blast of light two massive monsters began to form on the field via the pyreflies. Both were mostly black in colour. They featured a small head on an almost shoulder like body with two slots opening on thier shoulders to produce snake like appendanges with dragon heads on the end, they quickly roared at me before retreating back into the shoulders. They were finally finished by a long coiling tail on each and massive arms with serated claws.
Arcana Force Extra, The Light Ruler 4000/4000
Arcana Force Extra, The Dark Ruler 4000/4000
As the monsters hissed at me across the field, I stepped back once again involuntarily... this time in genuine fear.
"So this must be how Jaden felt... staring down both of these monsters... but at least he had it better than me, he never faced both at once!"
Images of each respective cards then appeared over the monsters and they began to rotate around in a circle, before Tallia spoke.
"Now... select the position of the card. When they are summoned this occurs. Upright or reverse will determine my monster's effects... But I know they will both land upright"
Feeling a bead of sweat run down my forehead as I watch the cards slowly rotate, I hold my breath for several seconds.
"Stop!... Stop!"
As both cards slowed down after my declaration, they eventually both stopped... upright.
"Upright position" Tallia said softly. "I draw" She declared officially begining her turn before turning a card over "Pot of Greed" She said drawing.
"So impressive" Was all I could think. "She has completely mastery of her monsters and she knew everything that would happen in this duel. How can I possibly win if she knows my moves before I make them?" I then look to my set cards. "Could she know what they are? Is that why she played that Penance card?"
"The Dark Ruler" Tallia said pointing forward interrupting my thoughts. "Since it is in upright position attacks twice a turn at the cost of changing to defence mode until the end of my next turn. It now attacks your Flare Wingman"
A whooshing sound could be heard as two compartments on the monsters shoulders opened up, revealing the two metallical dragon heads that extended upwards, both charging a dark energy ball in thier mouths, which they fired at Flare Wingman. Despite its strength, Flare Wingan cried out in pain as it exploded and I threw up my arms to shield myself from the damage
Kaiser - 7100 Tallia - 200
"The Dark Ruler now attacks Sparkman"
Without even chance for me to recover, The Dark Ruler had launched a second blast that incinerated Sparkman in seconds while I was thrown backwards from the damage that this attack caused.
Kaiser - 4700 Tallia - 200
"The Light Ruler attacks Sapphire Pegasus"
Landing flat on my back, I gasp in pain as I look up to see The Light Ruler charging up an attack to fire a laser beam of light from its tail to strike Pegasus square in its chests where it screamed before exploding. I actually cradled myself in the fetal postion to protect myself on the ground from the blast, while a second later the remains of my monster had reformed into its Sapphire Crystal form.
Kaiser - 2500 Tallia - 200
Rolling over onto my back, I breathe heavily for a few seconds before flipping myself back onto my feet and putting a hand on my deck.
"I now draw a card and you gain life points again" I say drawing
Kaiser - 2500 Tallia - 700
The Dark Ruler's dragon heads then seemed to retract back into its main body as it crossed what looked like its arms across its body as its mode switched, while the Light Ruler began to glow in a white light.
"Since The Light Ruler destroyed your monster, I now add a card from my graveyard to my hand, however I will forgoe that action as I will immediately play it, it will be Pot of Greed" She said drawing again. "I set one monster face down and four additional cards before ending my turn"
"So her prediction was true" Lulu stated.
"In a big way ya!" Wakka said slapping his head
"Can he come back from this Tara?" Yuna asked
"Maybe... only if he..."
"Next turn will be his true test" Belgemine spoke. "To see if he can weather the storm Tallia has brought before him"
Still panting slightly from her attacks, I stared at her across the field, seeing that she still has not opened her eyes. But my eyes had looked slightly over my right shoulder, as three of the Orbs generated by Rainbow Fusion had now lit up.
"If I can hold her off for a few more turns... I can make a comeback, but its going to be risky. Especially if she knows everything I will do. Plus she has a full backrow of cards and a full hand with all that drawing she has done and those face downs could be anything. I just need to put up a wall of monsters for her to destroy"
"I draw!" I declare "I switch Stratos to defence!" I say as Stratos kneels down and crosses his arms. "Now I play my face down card! E-Force! This lets me summon a Crystal Beast from the spell and trap zone, and I select Ruby Carbuncle!"
As the ruby on my field exploded the small form of the Carbuncle appeared. Blue in colour with a white chest with a shining ruby on its tail and red coloured eyes it assumed position on the field as its four like mouse ears swished around.
Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle 300/200
"Activate Ruby Happiness!" I said as Ruby extended its tail shooting out a red beam at the Sapphire Crystal. "Since Ruby was special summoned, it special summons all Crystal Beasts from my spell and trap zone!"
With a loud cry the winged horse exploded out of its crystal form to fly around the field before settling on the field kneeling down defending.
Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus 1800/800
"Now Pegasus once again adds a Crystal to my field, I select Topaz Tiger!"
Pegasus's horn glowed once again as a large Topaz appeared in the place its Sapphire form had once been. I follow this up by drawing via Rainbow Fusion, and with a wide smile, I realise that with what ive just drawn I can turn this around.
Kaiser - 2500 Tallia - 1200
"Now I summon Amber Mammoth! And due to the effect of Hero Bond, I also special summon Elemental Hero Woodsman from my deck in defence mode!"
The pyreflies once again began to form as a large elephant appear on the field with a roar, sporting four massive tusks and its namesake amber gem stone on its forehead and the same coloured eyes. Woodsman looked more like a tree humaining. With green skin on its body and left leg, while the other half was almost brown in colour like a tree bark. Mammoth then took a knee to defend while Woodsman followed suit crossing its arms across its chest.
Elemental Hero Woodsman 1000/2000
Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth 1700/1600
"I set one card face down and end my turn" I finish
"Okay" I think taking a deep breath. "I've got a wall of four monsters this turn. Even if she can change the Dark Ruler back to attack mode, she cant attack me directly. My face downs should scare her off with some luck"
Looking at the two face down cards, I could almost see through them as I knew what they were.
"Amber Formation will pump Amber Mammoth up enough to not take that much damage, but allow me a draw with Rainbow Fusion, and if she even thinks of attacking Woodsman, Hero Counterattack will destroy one of her monsters, namely The Fool"
"Draw... Trap cards open" Tallia said as a total of three of her face down cards flipped up.
Looking them over, I had no idea what they were or what they did, but I did see that they depicted certain Arcana Force monsters.
"Arcana Strength" Tallia said looking to her far left card. "Banishes Arcana Force Eighteen, The Strength from my deck and allows one monster I control, which will be The Light Ruler to attack all monsters you control once each at the cost of having its effect negated"
"What?!" I gasp
"Next is Arcana Devil. I banish the Arcana Force Fifteen, The Devil from my deck and select The Light Ruler. This turn, should you destroy it, or any other monster with equal attack or defence points, it will wipe out all cards on your side of the field"
"Oh come on!" I yell back.
"Finally is Arcana World. I banish the Arcana Force Twenty One, The World from my deck, and tribute one monster. So I tribute my face down The Lovers, to add a card to the top of my deck"
Placing her set monster in the graveyard, she quickly then took out her deck to select a card and put it on the top of her deck. Still with her eyes closed no less.
"Has she seen through my face downs?" I think glancing down at my cards. "Why else would she activate all those trap cards first when she could chain them to my cards and give me advanced knowledge?"
"The Light Ruler. Attack Stratos" Tallia says softly.
Charging up its light laser beam, The Light Ruler fired at Stratos that hit it dead in the head, making the monster cry out in pain and explode, however I had already shot a hand forward in retaliation.
"Trap activate! Hero Counterattack! Since you destroyed my Hero, you must now pick a card from my hand and if its an Elemental Hero, I can summon it and destroy a monster you control!"
"You far left card... it will be a monster" Tallia says
Turning it over I reveal it even though her eyes were closed.
"You were right!" I say ignoring her statement "Elemental Hero Bladedge! I now summon it in defence mode and destroy The Fool!"
In a shower of pyreflies Bladedge emerged from the earth onto the field. The mighty gold coloured armoured here flexed its arms showing off its trademark blades attached to its wrists.
Elemental Hero Bladedge 2600/1800
"Now Bladedge! Power Edge Attack!"
Bladedge propelled itself across the field bringing one of its wrist blades up to slice across the fool twice, one with each arm, which moaned in pain as it exploded into pyreflies, taking Tallia's trap card with it, while two of the orbs on Rainbow Fusion lit up.
"I activate Amber Formation!" I declare continuing on. "Now Amber Mammoth gains attack equal to my Crystal Beasts!"
With a loud cry, the Amber Crystal on the Mammoths head began to glow as it absorbed power into itself from the other Crystal Beasts.
Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth 3800/1600
"Impressive" Tallia says. "However, it still falls short of The Light Ruler's attack points. It will now destroy the remainder of your monsters"
Continuing on, The Light Ruler fired off a further five lasers in quick succession, destroying the three crystal beasts which quickly crystalised and the two heros, clearing out the field single handed. However I noted with a smile that all the orbs on Rainbow Fusion had now lit up.
Kaiser - 2300 Tallia - 1200
"Rainbow Fusion activates!" I declare drawing my cards
Kaiser - 2300 Tallia - 2700
"Excellent" I think looking at my cards. "I can make a comeback next turn with Rainbow Fusion!"
"Trap activate" Tallia says interrupting my thoughs. "Arcana Hanged. By banishing the Hanged Man from my deck, I can destroy cards on your field equal to the monsters I destroyed this turn in battle. So with that, I now wipe out your field"
"What?!" I gasp
As the grim reaper himself seemed to appear from the card with a chuckle, he produced a sycthe from underneath his robe to slash in a wide arc across the field, shattering the three crystals on the field before he jammed his scythe into the ground as the earth shook as Rainbow Fusion began to break down.
"I need Rainbow Fusion to win!" I panic. "What can I do?!"
But then I noticed that Crystal Hero Bond was beginning to shine, and glancing at the card, I realised I had neglected to read the last line of its text.
"I activate the effect of Crystal Hero Bond! Since you would destroy Rainbow Fusion, I can now remove one of its counters to protect it! Since both would be destroyed at the same time, I can sacrifice Crystal Hero Bond to protect my field spell!"
An orb on its pedestal began to shine before shooting out a beam of light at the reaper which caught it head on, making the reaper cry out in pain and remove its scythe from the ground stopping its effect. The orb dimmed leaving me with one short, but I knew I had done the right thing.
"Excellent counter" Tallia declare. "I see that you will summon a powerful monster on your next turn... but again you will not win. I set three cards and end my turn"
Breathing heavily, I put my hand down on my deck ready to draw.
"She must know about Rainbow Fusion..." I think. "But I cant attack with them during the same turn... what could she mean?" I think. "I draw!"
Looking at the card in my hand, I almost gasp seeing this monster in my hand. Looking at the cards in my hand, I realise what Tallia must have seen.
"I play Convert Contact! Since I control no monsters, I send Neo-Spacian Flare Scarab in my hand to the graveyard, as well as Neo-Spacian Grand Mole from my deck to draw two cards!" I say doing just that. "Lets follow up with Pot of Greed!" I add.
Looking at all the cards I had draw, I realised I was one card short from my plan, but I had a card to change that.
"I play Fifth Hope! I return five Hero's from the graveyard to the deck to draw two cards! Now awaken! My Elemental Hero's!"
At my declaration, five Hero cards popped out of my graveyard in a flash of light, as ghostly silhouettes of Prisma, Sparkman, Woodsman, Bladedge and Shining Flare Wingman appeared behind me as I shuffled them back and drew. Feeling jolts of electricity run up my arm again, I gasp as I see I had drawn the card I needed, plus something I didnt expect to see.
"Would that be even possible?" I think. "Either way it doesnt matter, I have to go by my original plan before I even think of that" I say taking another card from my hand.
"I play Fake Hero! This lets me special summon an Elemental Hero from my hand that cannot attack and returns to my hand at the end phase! I summon Elemental Hero Neos!"
In a shower of pyreflies as he appeared from the ground, the mighty warrior that was Neos jumped onto the field giving a fighting pose as he did.
Elemental Hero Neos 2500/2000
It was then I felt it...
A rush of excitement, the thrill of what I was about to do...
This must be what Jaden always felt like...
"Magic Card activate! Miracle Contact!"
"So its coming... your monster I sensed" Tallia spoke softly.
"I return from the field and graveyard, Elemental Hero Neos, Grand Mole and Flare Scarab to my deck to summon a new fusion monster!"
As the insect Flare Scarab appeared on the field beside Neos and the small brown Grand Mole appear on his other side, the fusion vortex of Rainbow Fusion suddenly began to shift and change until it resembled a galaxy in space, to which the three monsters promptly leapt towards.
"Mighty warrior of Neo space! Flame of the mighty volcano! Creature of the ever lasting earth! Become one to form a being to surpass all three! Triple Contact Fusion!"
In a massive flash of light, a new monster formed from the galaxy as Rainbow Fusion's fusion vortex returned to normal.
"C'mon! Elemental Hero Magma Neos!"
Neo's body had been transformed to be covered by aspects of the previous two monsters. A rocky right arm and a clawed left while his upper body had been covered with dark armour.
Elemental Hero Magma Neos 3000/2500
"Next I equip Magma Neos with this! Instant Neospace!"
On cue, a small circular portal with a multitude of colours appeared on the floor underneath Magma Neos.
"This prevents Magma Neos returning to the Extra Deck in the End Phase via his own effect, but another effect of his now kicks in! For every card on the field, he gains an extra four hundred attack points! Between your five cards and my three cards, thats a massive three thousand two hundred extra points!"
With a warcry and surrounded by the lights of Neo-Space, Magma Neo's points shot up expenentionally.
Elemental Hero Magma Neos 6200/2500
Looking down at my hand, I grasp three cards and prepare to set them to power Magma Neos up far enough to win the duel with the damage against The Light Ruler. But I felt a shiver run up my spine before I do so. A single thought ran through my head.
"I see that you will summon a powerful monster on your next turn... but again you will not win"
My hand retracted from those cards as the words replayed in my mind over and over again.
"Everything she said so far has been right... Does she have some way to stop me from winning?" I think as my eyes go to her face down cards. "Those cards... one must block the attack or destroy Magma Neos"
My eyes then went to Rainbow Fusion, and more specificially the orbs that were on it.
"Worse still, if I set those cards and need to use the effect of Rainbow Fusion, I will loose them when they are sent to the graveyard... what do I do?"
Glancing down at my hand, I realise I have another way before continuing
"I play Double Attack! I now discard Rainbow Dragon, a level ten monster, to allow a lower level monster to attack twice this turn. Magma Neos fits the bill!"
Raising its rocky right hand above its head, Magma Neos hand became engulphed in flame as a massive ball of molten rock and lava was beginning to form in its hand
"Now destroy both monsters! Super Heat Meteor!"
Eventually forming a massive comet in its hand, Magma Neos consumed it completely in flame before flinging it across the field to land between the two Ruler monsters where it exploded in a massive explosion of molten lava to destroy both monsters in a sea of fire. This time however, Tallia raised her arms to protect herself from the flames as she screamed out in pain.
Kaiser - 2300 Tallia - 500
Looking behind me I see that the last counter on Rainbow Fusion has lit up, and I quickly grab the card from my duel disk
"I use the effect of Rainbow Fusion! Sending it to the graveyard I now special summon from my hand, deck or graveyard, Elemental Hero Neos and Rainbow Dragon disregarding summoning conditions!"
The earth shook once more as the scenery created by Rainbow Fusion began to break down, but before it did, Neos once more appeared jumping through the fusion vortex to land nimbly on the ground, while the massive Rainbow Dragon seemed to form from the very rainbow in the sky itself. It roared across the field upon its arrival while Neos flexed its arms.
Elemental Hero Neos 2500/2000
Rainbow Dragon 4000/0
"Normally Rainbow Fusion would send all other cards I control on the field to the graveyard, but I have this" I say turning a card around. "Crystal Hero Force. It protects one Crystal Beast or Elemental Hero monster from card effects this turn, plus one spell or trap card. So Magma Neo's is safe as well as his equip card. I set three cards and end my turn"
Elemental Hero Magma Neos 7000/2500
"That's why he's the best!" Tidus said punching the air once again
"Impressive that he came from behind once again to take the lead and destroy her monsters" Auron spoke.
Yuna had noticed Tara was once again quiet and was shaking her head
"Tara?" She asked simply.
"He's used this deck before" Tara said suddenly drawing eyes from the group
"Why do you say that? How could he?" Wakka asked
"Because... I have never summoned Magma Neos. I have never been pushed far enough to summon it"
All eyes then seemed to move back onto Kaiser on the field
"But I'm glad..." Tara said smiling. "Because when he summoned it, he looked like he was really enjoying himself"
"He's provoked her" Allia said suddenly, looking almost shocked
"Impressive then" Belgemine smirked. "Its been a very long time that someone has pushed her that far. It should be interesting"
Tallia for her part was panting heavily while her arms were still shielding herself from the previous attack. I couldnt see her face but I could see her breathing was beginning to slow down. But then I heard it.
Laughter...
It was quiet at first, until it intensified to a evil cackling laugh...
I knew it was Tallia, and throwing her arms to her side she continued to laugh into the air, a haunting chilling laugh that was making my blood run cold. But then she lowered her face to look at me directly and I felt as if she was piercing into my very soul with her eyes.
She had opened her eyes...
And they were completely black...
"Draw!" She declared, her eyes wild as she drew. The three face down trap cards that were on her field then popped up.
"The Spiritual Road activate! The Material Road activate! The Hells Road activate!"
As her cards were activating I could feel a sense of overwhelming dread begining to form right in the pit of my stomach as she took two further cards from her hand.
"The Heavens Road activate! The Gods Road activate!"
At the activation of the final card, each card emitted a pillar beam of light that reached right into the very heavens as Tallia herself was consumed by the middle pillar of light obscuring my vision of her.
"Destiny follows me Kaiser! For I knew you would not win with your last attack! You allowed your own doubt to cloud your mind as I knew you would!"
It was then that she stepped forward out of the light pillar so that I could see her and I actually gasped at what I saw. Her face had seemed to contort with the skin tight over certain areas showing her bones through, while her veins were now showing through her skin being black in colour like her eyes. He hair seemed to be standing on end almost like a Peacocks tail in height. It was then that a card popped out from her Extra Deck that she quickly took and held high in the air.
"Your own doubt brought you this fate, because its time for me to invoke the ultimate destiny!"
The light pillars began to glow even brighter as they moved towards each other on the field slowly.
"By banishing my Rulers you destroyed from the graveyard and sacrificing these five pillars of light! I bring forth a being of destiny that brings forth the future itself! Essence of divinity incarnate!"
As the five pillars intersected they blasted outwards creating a massive whirlwind that I had to throw my hands up to shield myself from as a massive form was taking shape in the light.
"Appear now! Monster of my soul! Arcana Force Ultimate! The God Ruler!"
The God Ruler unlike the rest of the Arcana Force looked mostly human despite its massive size. It was clad in a grey tattered robe that showed its bare flesh underneath from its torso to its knees. His face appeared old and wizened with a grey beard and flowing grey hair. But it was its next feature that was most striking, two wings, one white and feathered like an angel and the other black and leathery almost like a bats wings. That and it was armed with a rather lethal looking silver three pronged Trident.
Arcana Force Ultimate, The God Ruler 4000/4000
Looking up at the massive being infront of me, I felt its eyes looking down on me, as if I was a mere ant for it to step on. Even more eerily, its white and black mist like wings were creating a mist of thier own that was slowly permeating the duel field, swirling around us at around knee height. What was worse, with less cards on the field Magma Neos powered down, bringing me me closer to destruction by this collosal monster.
Elemental Hero Magma Neos 6200/2500
"I feel it... It truly is the feeling of a god!"
"The God Ruler!" Tallia said jabbing a finger forward. "Attack Magma Neo's!"
Cackling in glee, the God Ruler took its Trident in both hands as it locked on target of the hero fusion monster.
"What?! Magma Neos is still stronger!" I declare.
"I activate the effect of the God Ruler! Upon declaring an attack, it gains attack points equal to all your face up monsters until my next battle phase! Arcana Siphon!"
Roaring in delight, The God Ruler pointed its Trident at my side of the field as it began to glow in a yellow light. My three monsters all began to cry out in pain as they writhed around suffering as white light left thier bodys to be absorbed by the Trident of the God Ruler, increasing its attack to a massive amount.
Arcana Force Ultimate, The God Ruler 16700/4000
"What the?!" I splutter
"Now destroy his monster!" Tallia says almost shrieking.
Bringing back its Trident, the God Ruler lunged it forward at Magma Neo's who was still coughing on the ground from its energy being stolen.
"Never!" I declare. "I activate Battle Fusion! Since you attacked my Fusion monster, Magma Neos now gains all the attack points of your God Ruler!"
Shaking off its fatigue, Magma Neos bravely stook up and blocked the Trident directly in its hands, stopping it dead in its tracks. With a mighty heave of defiance and strength, Neos threw back the Trident away from itself.
"You underestimate the power of a god!" Tallia declares. "I activate the God Rulers effect! Once a turn during the battle phase, it can negate and destroy any of your activated cards! So your Battle Fusion is destroyed! Arcana Judgement!"
Swinging its arm back round, the God Ruler struck its Trident at Battle Fusion this time and split the card clean in two as Magma Neos recoiled in horror.
"Now your monster will be destroyed! Go Arcana Divine Strike!"
With a cackle, the God Ruler brought back its arm for another swing as this time the Trident was heading directly for Magma Neos with no protection.
"Reverse card open! Hero Strike!"
Magma Neos had brought its arms up to protect itself as the God Rulers Trident came closer, but it was denied as it instead hit a swirling barrier shield that suprised even both monsters.
"Hero Strike now tributes my Hero Fusion monster in order to destroy all cards on your field! Now take down that God! Magma Neos!"
With a roar of defiance, Magma Neos seemed to regain its strength as it launched itself skyward towards the God Ruler. The massive monster responded by swiping at it with its Trident and free arm, but Magma Neos was too fast and impacted the God Ruler directly in the chest with a kamakazie strike which engluphed them both in a massive explosion.
"I must pay six hundred life points for each monster used in the summon of that fusion monster" I say as Tallia's field was still engulphed. "But it was well worth it to rid the field of your monster"
Kaiser - 500 Tallia - 500
However my joy was quickly replaced with horror as beneath the dust cloud of the explosion I could hear Tallia chuckling once more. Seconds later the smoke began to clear and The God Ruler was still there, which gave me its own sinister chuckle in response.
"Sorry to dissapoint you" Tallia said licking her lips with a smile. "But the God Ruler is immune to battle and card effect destruction"
"Tch" I say gritting my teeth. "The second effect of Hero Strike ends the battle phase, so I can pass this turn!"
"Perhaps" Tallia said before taking a fist full of cards. "But I set three cards and end my turn"
Reaching down to draw, as my fingers touched the top card I suddenly hesitated, feeling an icy cold chill down my spine. Looking up, the malicious smile of the God Ruler was staring down at me, while Tallia was smirking at me also. She seemed to be getting larger by the second too as she was growing to the size of a giant above me, dwarfing me.
"Destiny lies me with" She said suddenly. "Only by mastering destiny will it follow you. And right now you can do nothing to stop me!"
Feeling like I was shrinking down in fear, I felt time beginning to stop as I was stood there ready to draw.
"Maybe shes right... everything she has said has come to pass. Nothing I have done has stopped her for more than a moment, and she always countered everything I do, not once in this duel could I have won..."
I felt lightning strike through my senses immediately as I thought back.
"Destiny follows me Kaiser! For I knew you would not win with your last attack! You allowed your own doubt to cloud your mind as I knew you would!"
"Thats right!" I think regaining warmth in my veins. "She told me I would not win and I believed her! Her three road cards were set that made me hesitate to set additional cards to win! Destiny does not follow her!"
Looking straight up with a defiant glare, I practically rip the top card off my deck as I drew. Tallia's face quickly drained of colour as I did. She quickly glanced to my face down card and her own cards.
"I sense it! He will summon his strongest fusion monster! I have to protect The God Ruler!"
"Trap activate! Arcana Formation! With this face up on the field, I no longer take battle damage involving an Arcana Force monster. Next I activate Arcana Road! As long as my five Road cards remain in my graveyard, all my monsters are immune to your card effects!"
The God Ruler was then suddenly engulped back inside once of the light pillars that had been used to create it in order to protect it from harm, while Tallia had thrown her arms into the air and were laughing wildly once more.
"I have rule over destiny in this duel! You cannot destroy or effect me or my monster in any way! With this kind of power I will always be able to control destiny! Even with all your power Kaiser you still cannot match mine!"
Tallia continued laughing an eerie high pitched laugh until suddenly the noise seemed to dim as words were then spoken.
"Perhaps you should consider that destiny follows no one" I say suddenly as my eyes shift to a shining blue.
Tallia actually recoiled at seeing my eyes shift as I continued to pierce her with my eyes.
"There is no power to rule over destiny, you of all people should know that. Destiny comes to those that make it and can change at any moment"
As I spoke, the mist being created by the God Ruler seemed to be repelled from around my feet at first, as it was slowly being forced back to the God Ruler's wings.
"You challenged me to this duel, knowing the outcome or so you said. Well its time we found out for one way or another as this is the final turn!"
I then extend my arm towards my lone face down card as I spoke.
"Reverse card open!"
The card rather oddly began to rise slowly as Tallia tried to identify it before eventually gasping at what she had seen.
"Oh my" Yuna gasped
"Is this even possible?!" Wakka spluttered
"We shall soon see" Auron continued
"Such magnificent power" Belgemine said suddenly "He may even be able to break the destiny that Tallia has laid before him"
"Super Fusion activate!"
Looking at the card in my hand, I smile as I see its Winged Kuriboh. I was grin as I hear a 'kuri kuri' in my mind as I place it in the graveyard.
In a crackling electrical explosion, a fusion vortex of massive power opened in the air as my two monsters began to shine in light.
"Rainbow Dragon and Neos now fuse! May the light of her soul bring forth the protector of bonds!"
As Rainbow Dragon flew into the vortex and Neos lept there, a shining light replaced it as a massive humanoid figure with wings began to appear in the light.
"Fusion summon! Rainbow Neos!"
Spreading its wings, Rainbow Neos emerged fully on the duel field, flexing its arms as its pure white armor glowed, as its own size now rivalled that of the God Ruler.
Rainbow Neos 4500/3800
"Impressive monster" Tallia says observing Rainbow Neos. "But it doesnt even come close to the God Rulers power!"
"Is that so?" I breathe putting my hand on top of my deck. "Rainbow Neos's effects control the future of the duel... after being summoned by Super Fusion, those effects increase!" I say drawing.
Tallia's graveyard slot suddenly flashed with light as every card within began to pop out.
"Whats going on?!" She said looking at her cards.
"By drawing one card, Rainbow Neos has banished every card in your graveyard. Your Road cards will no longer protect your monster!"
Almost growling, Tallia quickly pocketed her cards as the pillar around the God Ruler began to dim, while I retrieved a card from my graveyard.
"I return Elemental Hero Neos to my deck in order to grant Rainbow Neos its stats as well as any effects it may possess"
The soul of Neos appeared to leap from the graveyard to enter the body of Rainbow Neos as it glowed white as its stats began to increase.
Rainbow Neos 7000/3800
"Finally I banish a spell card from my graveyard, which I choose as Battle Fusion. This returns all your spells and traps on the field to your deck!"
Gasping once more, Talia's cards began to vaporise off the field as she retrieved them and shuffled them into her deck.
"Rainbow Neos! Battle!"
"Even with all your effects! Your monster is still weaker than mine!" Tallia counters
"Not anymore! Since Battle Fusion was banished, I can use its effect at the appropriate time! Which means Rainbow Neo's can beat your monster since it isnt actually activating!"
Roaring in power, Rainbow Neo's powered up and grew even larger in frame, now dwarfing the God Ruler twice over making the former God like monster actually shrink away in fear.
Rainbow Neos 23700/3800
"Rainbow Flare Stream!"
As Rainbow Neos charged up and fired its fiery flare attack at the God Ruler, Tallia actually screamed and inhuman scream of rage.
"I activate the final effect of the God Ruler! I tribute it during your battle phase to destroy all cards on the field!"
As Rainbow Neos attack struck the God Ruler in the chest, it exploded with a cry of pain, but from the explosion its Trident appeared from the fire to strike Rainbow Neos in the chest, obliterating it.
"The God Ruler will return in the end phase and damage you equal to its original attack, so you were right in saying its the final turn!" Tallia declared confidently
"Yes, but it will end in my victory" I say holding out the card in my hand.
Tallia actually seemed to choke for a moment as she saw the card I had revealed.
"I play Reverse of Neos, Elemental Hero Neos returns to the field from my deck with a thousand extra attack points, now be reborn! Neos!"
Elemental Hero Neos 3500/2000
"Attack her directly! Last of Neos!"
As Neos launched itself across the field with its fist clenched, Tallia's hair seemed to drop down back to its usual style as her eyes reverted back from black as her face returned to normal. She gave a small smile as Neos moved ever closer to her as she reached into her pocket and retrieved the piece of paper she had writted on before the duel.
"My task is complete... destiny has triumphed"
A second later Neo's gave her a hard chop from head to toe as she cried out in pain before fallling backwards to land on her back. Letting go of the paper, it seemed to fly across the field and fall into my hand.
Kaiser - 500 Tallia - 0
As Neos faded aware into pyreflies after its attack, I unfolded the piece of paper to see what she had put on it being the winning card in the duel. I almost gasped at what I saw.
It was Reverse of Neos.
Considering this had been sat in my document manager all this time needing a fine proof reading and alter, it certainly took its time to finish! Working on the next chapter!