Renegades: A New Dawn

by Primal WolfBlood

In Part 3 of The Renegade Chronicles, follow the Renegades as they try and recover from the shocking end to The Renegade Revolution, and continue their lives with more action and suspense than ever before, as they learn who the true enemies are, and finally confront Segolia once and for all, to end their clash with each other.

14. The Last Stand, Part 1

Renegades: A New Dawn

Chapter XIV: The Last Stand, Part 1 (The Fear of God)

Icaron LP:8000 vs. Phil Robinson LP:4000 and Maddy Robinson-Cummings LP:4000

Turn 1: Maddy: 'I'll lead off, k?' 'After you.' 'I draw! I activate the Continuous Spell Synchronized Realm. With this, you lose 500 Life points every time either one of us Synchro summons. I'll also activate Graceful Charity, to draw 3 and discard 2. Next I'll discard Key Mouse to Special summon the Tuner monster Egotistical Ape (Atk:1200). When I summon it, I can decrease or increase it's Level by that of Key Mouse. I'll choose to increase it's Level by 1 (Level:5-6).'

'Increase? I would presume there is a reason?' 'Damn right there is. I summon Lock Cat (Atk:1200). And every Lock needs a Key. So when she's summoned, I can summon a Level 1 monster from my graveyard. I choose Key Mouse (Atk:100).'

Maddy's eyes then flashed. 'How about my Level 3 Lock Cat gets a tuning up from Level 1 Key Mouse? Watch the stars align and your fortunes fade! I summon Old Entity Hastorr (Atk:2300).' A short blast of light then shot at Icaron, hitting him in the chest and making him flinch (Icaron LP:8000-7500). 'I end my turn with three face-downs.'

Phil: 'I draw. I activate the Continuous Spell card Machine Assembly Line. Next I'll summon Cyber Phoenix. And thanks to my Machine Assembly Line, it gains 200 Attack (Atk:1200-1400). And now I'll activate another Spell. And this one's a personal favourite – Different Dimension Capsule. It lets me take any card I like from my deck, and place it in this capsule.'

As the elaborate sarcophagus rose from the ground, Icaron mocked. 'You're a fan of ancient artifacts? I suppose your deck could show that.' 'You're hilarious.' Phil then selected a card, and held it out face-down, allowing it to float into the stone coffin, which then slammed shut and vanished back down into the ground.

'You just threw away your own card.' 'I wouldn't worry about that – two turns in my future, the card placed into the capsule returns to my hand.' 'Of course, you wouldn't simply throw cards away' 'I end my turn with a face-down.'

Icaron: 'I draw. I discard one card to summon The Tricky (Atk:2000). Next I activate Tricky Spell 4. This tributes The Tricky to summon Tricky Tokens equal to the amount of monsters you control, which is three (Atk:2000)x3.'

'Now I will tribute all three of them, and summon out your first piece of destruction. Arise, Obelisk the Tormentor (Atk:4000). Obelisk, attack Cyber Phoenix with Fist of Fate.' 'I activate my face-down Defence Draw. This allows you to destroy my monster, but I take none of the Battle damage.' Obelisk slammed it's fists through Cyber Phoenix, leaving a wrecked pile of bolts. 'I activate the effect of Cyber Phoenix. When it's destroyed by battle, I draw a card. Also, thanks to Defence Draw, I draw another card. Machine Assembly Line's effect triggers when a Machine is destroyed by battle, which means it gains two Junk Counters (JC:0-2). Finally I activate Accumulated Fortune. Because this is at least Chain Link 4, I draw 2 cards.'

As the chain resolved, Phil drew four cards through his varied effects. 'You have outsmarted me… once. Once is all it will be.' 'As it's still the Battle phase, I'll activate Urgent Tuning, and tune Level 6 Egotistical Ape to Level 4 Hastorr. I call upon your presence, Leo, the Keeper of the Sacred Tree (Atk:3100).'

'Why would you do that?' 'It's simple – thanks to Hastorr's effect, when it leaves the field it can equip to Obelisk, and prevent it from attacking.' As Hastorr set free a small lizard which restricted the mighty god, Icaron just groaned. 'I can see you will be irritating ones.' 'Damn right.' 'I end my turn with a face-down.'

Maddy: 'I draw. I activate Graceful Charity, drawing 3 cards and then discarding 2. I'll put a card face-down and end my turn.'

Phil: 'I draw. Because I control no monsters and you have Obelisk, I can summon Cyber Dragon from my hand (Def.:1600). And because I just did that, I can also summon Cyber Dragon Vier (Def.:1600). I end my turn.'

Icaron: 'I draw. I activate Intimidation of the Great Gods. With this, as long as I control a God, none of your monsters can use their special abilities. I will end my turn with a face-down.'

Maddy: 'I draw. You got this Dad?' 'Of course.' 'Good. I'll set a monster and that's it.'

Phil: 'My turn.' Phil looked as his card, and knowingly nodded. 'I activate Double Cyclone. By destroying a Spell or Trap on our field, I can destroy one on yours. I'll destroy Old Entity Hastorr and Intimidation.'

As the cyclone roared across, Icaron laughed. 'You just threw away your protection from Obelisk.' 'Not so.' Maddy then grinned. 'I activate the effect of Old Entity Hastorr. When it's destroyed while equipped to your monster, that monster becomes property of yours truly.'

'Obelisk cannot be targeted by card effects. You managed to get by that once, but once only.' 'Say that to my face-down Skill Drain.' Phil was then struck by lightning, roaring in pain and anger (Phil LP:4000-3000). 'While this is on the field, the effects of all monsters on the field are negated. And Obelisk can't stop this because it's not targeting.'

'You're negating Hastorr however.' 'No I'm not. Someone's not been doing their homework – Skill Drain doesn't negate graveyard effects. So that's a no-go zone.' As the chain unravelled, Icaron made a desperate move. 'I activate my face-down Compulsory Evacuation Device. Obelisk will never fall into your grubby hands.'

'Now you're exposed. Leo, Keeper of the Sacred Tree, attack.' 'I activate the effect of Intimidation from my graveyard. By banishing this card from my graveyard, I can negate your attack.' 'I'll end my turn.'

Icaron: 'My turn. I activate Pot of Greed, to draw two cards. I will set a monster face-down and end my turn.'

Maddy: 'I draw. I'll attack your face-down monster with Leo.' As Leo bit straight into Icaron's monster (Scapeghost Def.:0), the god laughed from inside his possessed shell. 'When my Scapeghost is flipped, I can summon 5 Black Sheep Tokens (Def.:0)x5.

'I kinda knew that was coming. Because it's my Main Phase 2, I activate De-Synchro, to replace Leo with it's materials (Egotistical Ape Atk:1200, Hastorr Atk:2300). And by lowering Egotistical Ape's Level (Level:5-4), I can bring back Level Eater from my graveyard (Atk:600). I tune Level 4 Egotistical Ape to Level 4 Hastorr and Level 1 Level Eater!'

As the three monsters combined, Maddy looked at her chosen Synchro monster. 'I'm going to get you back with the card you gave me.' Her eyes then turned a dark red. 'I Synchro summon Trishula, Dragon of the Ice Barrier (Atk:2700).' Synchronized Realm then caught Icaron with another wave of electricity, shocking him (Icaron LP:7500-7000).'

'When Trishula is summoned, I can banish a card from your field, hand, and graveyard. I know there's nothing to banish from your field, but that's not what I was after. And the card in your hand is chosen at random.' Trishula unleashed it's frosty wrath upon Icaron, getting rid of a card from his hand and then removing Scapeghost from the graveyard.

'Trishula, attack one of the Tokens.' As Trishula swiped the token away, the overlord seemed unconcerned. 'I'll end my turn.'

Phil: 'I draw. I activate Polymerisation. This fuses together the Cyber Dragon and Cyber Dragon Vier on my field with the Cyber Dragon in my hand to Fusion summon Cyber End Dragon (Atk:4000).'

'Cyber End Dragon, destroy a Token with Super Strident Blaze.' The powerful, three-headed blast from Cyber End Dragon burned straight through the token, before frying Hannah's body, before Icaron changed to Hannah's voice and started screaming in pain (Icaron LP:7000-3000).

The voice seemed to shock Phil, who rather than attacking with Trishula, abruptly ended his turn. 'Dad, keep your head in the game.' 'I'm… yeah fine, I'm fine.' 'Well keep being fine then. We ain't far off.'

Icaron: 'I draw. I will lay a monster face-down and end my turn with a single face-down.'

Maddy: 'I draw. I summon Twin-Headed Wolf (Atk:1500). Cyber End Dragon, attack his monster.' Icaron then laughed. 'I activate Draining Shield. This grants me Life points equal to the attack of your monster before negating it's attack.' 'I don't care. Super Strident Blaze.' With Phil squatted down and out of sorts, Icaron's points were recovered, and Hannah let off another pained screech, as the flames melted his monster (Cyber Jar Def.:900, Icaron LP:3000-7000).

As Phil suffered mentally, Cyber Jar returned and started sucking all the monsters on the field into it. 'What's going on Dad? Dad? Dad!' As he failed to answer, Icaron answered. 'When Cyber Jar is flipped up, every monster on the field is destroyed.'

After all the monsters had been drawn in by the gravitational pull of the Jar, the rest of the effect was then revealed. 'Now we must all reveal five cards from the top of our decks. Each monster with a Level of 4 or below must be summoned in Attack position, or set in Defence. The remaining cards are added to our hands. I will nominate the girl to go first.'

'Ma name is not the girl!' Maddy quickly drew the five cards, before revealing them (Des Kangaroo, Mosaic Manticore, Polymerisation, De-Fusion, Rank-up Magic Renegades Unite!, Miracle Cub). 'I drew two Level 4 or below monsters – the Level 4 Des Kangaroo and the Level 1 Miracle Cub. I'll set them both.'

'How very predictable. It's his turn next, but he doesn't exactly look in any shape to be competing.' 'Oh he will be, in a minute.' As Phil was about to cry, Maddy kicked him in the ribs, making him turn around. 'C'mon Dad, I need you.' 'Where are we up to?' 'Cyber Jar.' 'Right, sorry.'

Phil then drew his five cards, before fanning them out (Cyber Phoenix, Cyber Dragon Core, Machine Duplication, Cyber Eltanin, Ancient Gear). 'I've got three suitable monsters – the Level 4 Cyber Phoenix, the Level 2 Cyber Dragon Core, and the Level 2 Ancient Gear. I'll set all three.'

'A poor hand if I do say so myself. Now for my reveal.' Icaron took the five, and laughed.' 'Come on, reveal your hand.' He then did so (Slifer the Sky Dragon, The Winged Dragon of Ra: Sphere Mode, The True Name, The Tricky, Double Summon). It's your turn still little girl.'

'Little girl? Don't forget you called me that when I turn your internal organs into a soup. I activate Magical Mallet.' 'What!?' 'With this, I can return three of my hand cards to my deck and then shuffle my deck, drawing that many cards. And the best bit is, you don't know which cards I'm ditching and switching.'

As Maddy drew her new cards, Phil looked on, impressed. 'I'll lay a face-down and end my turn.'

Phil: 'I draw. I lay a face-down and end my turn.'

Icaron: 'And now your demise will intensify! I summon Ra's Disciple (Atk:1100). When Ra's Disciple is summoned, two more come from my deck for worship (Atk:1100)x2. And with Double Summon, I can tribute these three monsters, and call upon Slifer, the Sky Dragon (Atk:6000).'

'Slifer, attack and destroy the central monster which he controls. Thunderforce Blast.' The intense blast from Slifer struck Phil's monster (Cyber Phoenix Def.:1600), destroying it. 'When Cyber Phoenix is destroyed, I can draw a card.' 'I end my turn with a face-down (Atk:6000-5000).'

Maddy: 'I draw. I'll hold still for now with a monster face-down.' 'Not attacking? I thought you were going to liquidise me?' 'Don't worry, you'll get yours… soon enough.'

Phil: 'I draw. I'll flip my Cyber Dragon Core and Ancient Gear face-up (Core Atk:400. Gear Atk:500). Now I activate Polymerisation, fusing together these two monsters with the Cyber Dragon Zwei in my hand to Fusion summon a monster whose defence goes on for miles. Prepare to meet the great wall – Cyber Eternity Dragon (Def.:4000).'

'When your monster is summoned, the ability of Slifer is activated, so your monster is crippled by 2000 Attack and Defence.' 'Not this time.' The electric orb from Slifer's secondary head was fired at Eternity Dragon, but was simply absorbed into it's lengthy metal skin. 'Because I have a Machine-type Fusion monster in my graveyard, Eternity Dragon holds total immunity to card effects. I end my turn with a face-down.'

Icaron: 'I draw (Atk:5000-6000)' "Hannah" then chuckled, glowing orange again. 'You think that you've got all of this figured out. But you know nothing! Slifer the Sky Dragon, destroy Cyber Eternity Dragon!' 'I activate Safe Zone.' Several blue wires started to extend from Eternity Dragon, plugging into a small blue tank behind.

'With this on the field, Cyber Eternity Dragon can no longer be destroyed in battle. In short, you can't get rid of it.' 'Yes, but how does that help your daughter?' 'It's every person for themselves. As long as we win, that's all that matters.' 'My turn is done.'

Maddy: 'I draw. You like cards in your hand don't you?' 'Indeed.' 'How about some more then? I activate my face-down The Gift of Greed. This allows you to draw two cards.' As Slifer's Attack increased further (Atk:6000-8000), the god looked on, rather perplexed. 'Why are you powering my monster up?'

'Because I'm now flipping face-up Des Koala (Atk:1100). When Des Koala is flipped face-up, you eat 400 damage for every card in your hand. With 8, you're being slammed for 3200 points. Eucalyptus Storm!'

As the president's eyes glowed, Des Koala took a deep breath in, before blasting out eucalyptus leaves, slashing away at Icaron, who screamed in Hannah's voice as the body was slashed by the sharp greenery (Icaron LP:7000-3800).

While Phil was trying to block out the noise, Icaron screeched in Hannah's voice. 'Phil, please! Stop doing this to me! She's hurting me!' Phil was trying to ignore the voice, while Maddy looked on. 'You're a dirty lying scumbag! I end my turn with a face-down.'

Phil: 'I draw. I'll…' He then stood up, and took a deep breath. 'I'm going to kill you!' 'How will you do that when I have a monster with 8000 Attack on the field?' 'I summon Armored Cybern (Atk:0). And Cybern has an ability which lets it equip onto Cyber Eternity Dragon.'

The bottom half of Cybern ejected to reveal two rocket thrusters, and it attached via electromagnetism to the bottom of Eternity Dragon, and it's two cannons locked in place. 'I'll activate Cybern's effect. Cyber Eternity Dragon gives up 1000 Attack points (Eternity Dragon Atk:2800-1800), and destroy Slifer. Double Barrel.'

'I activate my face-down Metaverse. This card allows me to activate any Field spell from my deck. Now what to choose? I know just the one – Mound of the Bound Creator.' Chains wrapped around Slifer as four stone pillars surrounded it and started glowing black. 'With these mighty chains, Slifer has immunity to your card effects. Meaning that you can't destroy Slifer with your pathetic Armored Cybern.'

Cybern fired several rounds straight into Slifer, but they all bounced off harmlessly. 'I'll set one card in my Spell and Trap zone and end my turn.'

Icaron: 'I draw (Atk:8000-9000). I activate Fairy Meteor Crush. This means that when Slifer attacks your Eternity Dragon, you take the difference in points as damage (Atk:8000). Now Slifer, attack!' As the attack raged towards Phil, his daughter leapt into action. 'I activate my face-down Alpha's Rule 4: Pack Protection. By tributing a monster on my field, Phil's damage is cut down by the higher stat of my monster, and his monster can't be destroyed. Sorry Des Koala.'

The thundering strike was just about to hit Phil when Des Koala jumped in the way of the attack, partially blocking it, and slamming Phil into the floor (Phil LP:3000-1200). 'You're lucky. I activate Infinite Cards, to circumvent the hand size limit, and end my turn (Atk:8000-7000).

As Phil powered himself back to his feet, he looked over at Maddy, his face bruised like an old potato. 'Thanks.' 'Don't mention it.' 'Any ideas on getting rid of big red and scary?' 'None yet.' 'I end my turn. Soon enough I will be revived!'

'We're never letting that happen.' 'Let me' 'No, let me tell you what's going to happen! What's going to happen is you're going to continue being egotistical, going on that you can't lose and you're invincible, then you get hit hard a couple of times and you lose.'

'There is no way on Earth or any other planet that you will ever defeat me!' 'Really? Because the last time I checked, you nearly lost to someone with a brain injury. What does that say about you? I'll give you a clue – it isn't that you're brave, not that you're unbeatable, it's that you're a FRAUD!'

Maddy: 'And you know what I do with frauds? I kick their arses! I activate 5 Card Salute, so my hand fills right up. I'll lay two face-downs and then tribute both of my monsters, to summon a monster to which Slifer will be no defence at all. Lay the smack down on him Earthbound Immortal Cusillu (Atk:2800).'

'Your monster is big, and yet still inept. It couldn't hold a candle to a real god.' Maddy smiled, and revealed her plan. 'Who said I'm attacking Slifer? Cusillu's effect allows it to attack directly. Pound him into the floor!' Cusillu's fist raised high into the air, and moved ominously above Slifer, before hammering down on top of Icaron, and the familiar scream came, but this time Maddy was prepared.

'Hey Dad, remember it's not her. It's some stupid oaf who we're about to be rid of, k?' 'I know.' 'What's your face-down?' 'Why don't you find out?' The dust cleared, and still, Icaron stood, seemingly practically unmoved by the previous blow (Icaron LP:3800-1000).

'My defeat will still never come.' 'You think? Because the way I see it, you're running out of points and you're running out of ideas.' 'Stupid humans, you're all the same. You think you can change the world when you're struggling to even save yourselves.'

'It doesn't matter if one of us falls.' 'You do realise what you're saying?' 'All that matters is that as a team we win. It doesn't matter who wins. I end my turn.'

Phil: 'I draw. I activate Earthbound Whirlwind. Because there is an Earthbound Immortal on the field, all of your Spells and Traps are destroyed.' 'I activate Sacred Wall of the Great Gods. This stops one card on the field from being destroyed, and I choose Mound of the Bound Creator.'

A foul and rotten wind blew, and two cards ended up being torn apart by the wind. 'With that I end my turn.' 'And so another turn goes and you fail once again.' 'Say that to your points.' 'My points are fine. Yours on the other hand? I'm not so sure.' 'Maddy told you already – it doesn't matter if I fall. All that matters is that you lose.'

Maddy's gaze shifted slightly, clearly not fully at ease with her Dad's words. Icaron however, was too busy taunting. 'Yes, but my loss isn't possible. You see, you try yet you're getting nowhere. And soon you will both be in the netherworld.'

Icaron: 'It is my turn again! I activate Graceful Charity, to draw three cards, then I discard two. I'll activate three copies of the card 7. But I'll immediately destroy them all, to draw three cards. Also, I regain 2100 Life points (Icaron LP:1000-3100). I lay a face-down (Slifer Atk:8000-7000), and Slifer will attack Cyber Eternity Dragon.'

Slifer roared, before firing another electrical blast, which caused Eternity Dragon to short circuit, and then explode in a huge plume of fire, blasting Phil right off of his feet (JC:4-6). 'And now once again, your field is empty. Soon, so be will you.'

As Phil got back to his feet, Maddy checked on him. 'Sure you're alright?' 'Just focus on yourself, I'm a tough old bird. Besides, I've got Eternity Dragon's floating effect.' 'I killed that thing!' 'Yes, correct, congratulations – you did an excellent job there. But when Eternity is destroyed by you and ends in my graveyard, I can call out a Cyber Dragon from my deck (Atk:2100).

'It's no matter. Your Cyber Dragon may suffice in most situations, but this is far from most situations. I activate Pot of Greed and end my turn.'

Maddy: 'It's my turn, I draw. I summon Bunilla (Atk:150). And because I Normal summoned this turn, I can summon Turbo Booster (Atk:0). Next I'll flip Miracle Cub face-up (Atk:100). I overlay my three Level 1 monsters to build the overlay network and Xyz summon! Roar, Number 54: Lion Heart (Atk:100).'

As Lion Heart hit the field, Icaron was too confused to consider any laughter. 'What kind of creature do you call that? And why does it even grace our battle? Especially when Slifer will immediately destroy it!'

'I activate my face-down Xyz Reflect. When you activate an effect, I can negate and destroy it.' 'With Mound of the Bound Creator, you're doing no destroying at all.' 'But Lion Heart is safe, and that's all that matters.' Slifer's secondary head shot out a lightning bolt, and Maddy's trap fired out a blue light, cancelling each other out in a blinding impact, which Maddy used as cover.

'Lion Heart, attack!' As Icaron saw the attack coming, he laughed. 'You can't beat me with that!' 'By detaching an Xyz material you take all the damage. That's 6900.' 'I discard another Intimidation to stop your attack cold and end your battle phase entirely.' Lion Heart came within millimetres of connecting with Slifer, before being stopped by the mighty god snarling deeply.

'I'll have you next turn. I end my turn for now with a face-down.' Phil then looked over at his daughter. 'You're doing a great job Maddy.' 'Thanks Dad. We'll break him eventually.' 'We will.' Maddy then held her hands out as if holding a box, and tilted them slightly, before Phil gave the thumbs up.

Phil: 'I draw.' 'I activate Double Cyclone! This destroys a Spell or Trap on your field at the cost of one of ours. I'll destroy Dad's face-down to take out your Mound.' The Cyclone took out Phil's card, before flying into the pillars, making them crumble to the ground. 'Thanks Maddy. Guess what – the card Maddy destroyed on my field was a little thing called Artifact Moralltach. It's a monster that can be set in my Spell and Trap zone, just waiting to be destroyed. Because now, I can summon him (Atk:2100).'

'And with Moralltach's ability, when he's Special summoned he can destroy a face-up card on your field. Say goodbye to Slifer the Sky Dragon.' 'That won't happen. What will happen is I will discard Ghost Ogre and Snow Rabbit (Atk:6000), to negate and destroy Artifact Moralltach.'

As Moralltach was snapped in half by Slifer's powerful jaws, Phil kept his eyes on the prize. 'I activate Instant Fusion.' As the card took effect, Phil clutched at his chest. 'This forces me to pay 1000 Life points in order to summon a Level 5 or below Fusion monster from my Extra deck (Phil LP:1200-200). Rock and roll Panzer Dragon (Atk:1000).'

'I overlay my two Level 5 monsters to build the overlay network. I Xyz summon the mighty Cyber Dragon Nova (Atk:2100-2300).' 'Ah yes, the step to Infinity.' 'Normally you would be correct. However, you seem to forget that Nova has effects of it's own. Here's one for you – I can detach an Xyz material and summon back Cyber Dragon (Atk:2100).'

'How impressive...' 'I now activate a Spell card called Mage Power. This equips to Cyber Nova and gives it 500 Attack for every Spell or Trap on our field. We have a total of four, so Nova's getting a big boost (Atk:2300-4300).'

As Icaron looked on getting increasingly concerned, Phil activated the last part of his plan. 'And now for Nova's 2nd ability. If I banish the Cyber Dragon that's on my field, Nova gains it's Attack points. Cybernetic Overflow!' Cyber Dragon vanished in a beam of electricity, and Nova's wings glowed blue, as it charged it's Attack further up (Atk:4300-6400).

'Impossible!' 'Quite possible. Cyber Dragon Nova, attack with Shining Strident Nova!' The Rank 5 monster shot out a blinding blast of blue electricity as Slifer shot out a ball of electricity itself, leading to a collision with the blue electricity pushing back and exterminating the mighty God (Icaron LP:3100-2700). 'I end my turn (Cyber Dragon Nova Atk:6400-4300).'

Maddy then looked over and smiled. 'Isn't sign language great?' 'It was here, I'll give you that.' 'Now we can finish them off.' 'Of course. All we need is another good couple of turns.' Icaron then rose up from the smoke, Hannah's body beaten and battered. 'I will destroy both of you! You think you have everything, but you have NOTHING!'

Icaron: 'Before I draw I activate Solemn Wishes. So when I draw, I gain 500 points. Like now! (Icaron LP:2700-3200). I activate Monster Reborn, to revive Ra's Disciple (Atk:1100). And when one is summoned, two more are also brought out (Atk:1100)x2. Now I will tribute all three to summon The Winged Dragon of Ra – Sphere Mode (Atk:0). This sealed form may not be a threat, but when it unfolds, it becomes deadly. By tributing Sphere Mode, I can summon the monster itself.'

As Icaron recited the chant, Ra started to open up from it's Sphere-like shell. 'Almighty protector of the sun and sky, I beg of thee, please, hear my cry. Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight. Envelop the deserts with your glow and turn your rage upon my foe. Unlock your powers held deep within so we together may win. I beseech thee, grace our deadly game and appear as I call your name, The Winged Dragon of Ra (Atk:4000).'

'By paying 1000 Life points (Icaron LP:3200-2200), I can destroy one monster you control. Say goodbye to Cusillu!' 'Not gonna happen. When Cusillu would be destroyed, I can destroy another monster on my field instead, and your Life points are halved. Laters Lion Heart.' Cusillu vanished as the fiery attack from Ra came in, and dark tendrils crept across the field, striking at the god (Icaron LP:2200-1100).

'And I'll equip Black Pendant onto it, increasing the attack by 500 (Atk:4500). Attack Cyber Dragon Nova and end his life!' 'I activate my face-down Damage Diet!' Ra shot out a fierce body of flame which simply melted Cyber Dragon Nova, and blasted Phil into a door frame (Phil LP:200-100).

'How lucky… how fortuitous… how ANNOYING! I will end my turn.'

Maddy: 'I draw.' Maddy then studied her cards. [Right, I know my next move. But I still need to protect Dad. Of course! With that there's no way he can lose. Requires some sensitive play, but I should be able to keep him safe. Like he's always done for me].

'I activate Pre-Preperation of Rites. This allows me to add a Ritual Monster and it's corresponding Ritual Spell to my hand. I choose Miracle Wolf and Awakening of a New Power.' 'You can't use that, you have more than 1000 Life points.' Maddy then smiled, and her bum started twitching as she made her move. 'I activate Awakening of a New Power! This requires 36 Level Stars of monster to be sent to my graveyard. But by banishing Miracle Cub from my graveyard, I can send the monsters from my deck instead.'

Maddy then selected a number of monsters from her deck and revealed them (Mosaic Manticore, Ancient Crimson Ape, Behemoth the King of All Animals, Berserk Gorilla, Big Koala and Twinheaded Beast), before sending them all to her graveyard. 'I summon the creator of miracles, Miracle Wolf (Atk:2800).'

'Miracle Wolf's ability allows it to act as three Level 12 monsters for an Xyz summon. I overlay three Level 12 monsters to build the overlay network!' Maddy's eyes glowed, and she let off an ear-piercing howl as her power radiated. 'I Xyz summon Number 97: my very being, Maddy, the Legendary Wolfblood (Atk:4000). I end my turn with a face-down.'

Phil: 'I draw. I activate Trade-In. By discarding the Level 8 Gimmick Puppet Dreary Doll, I can draw two more cards. I'll set two and end my turn.'

Icaron: 'My turn (Icaron LP:1100-1600). I discard one card to summon The Tricky (Atk:2000). And I will tribute it immediately to summon Caius the Shadow Monarch (Atk:2400). Caius, I activate your ability most foul. When this monarch of the darkness is summoned, Number 97 is banished!'

Phil shouted over to Maddy at this point. 'Maddy, I'm paying you back. I activate Xyz Veil. As long as this is on the field, Xyz monsters can't be targeted by card effects if they have a material left.' Caius fired off a ball of darkness, which covered Number 97, only for the Rank 12 to shake it off effortlessly. 'In that case, I end my turn.'

Maddy: 'I draw. I activate Shard of Greed. On each of my Standby phases, this gets a Greed Counter. When it has two or more, we send it to the grave and draw 2 cards. End my turn.'

Phil: 'I draw. I activate Fusion Reverse. By banishing a Fusion monster from my graveyard, I can summon the monsters which were used to summon it. I'll banish Cyber Eternity Dragon and summon two Cyber Dragons and Cyber Dragon Zwei (Cyber Dragon Atk:2100x2, Zwei Atk:1500).'

'They will be of no use. Unless your face-down has a plan...' 'I activate my face-down Marshalling Field! This allows me to select a Level for all the Machines on my field between 7 and 9. I choose Level 9. Now I overlay Level 9 Cyber Dragon and Cyber Dragon Zwei to build the overlay network! Canopy star unfold, and spread your galactic wrath across the whole world as I command your service! Appear, Number 9 – Dyson Sphere (Atk:2800).'

"Hannah" shook their head as the near-endless monster appeared and disappeared from view behind Phil. 'When all of your monsters have more Attack points than itself, Dyson Sphere is allowed to come straight after you. Brilliant Bombardment!'

'I activate the Trap card Damage Pot. Whenever I would take damage, I can put a counter on this for every 100 points I would take (Counters:0-28) and negate it all.' Phil then started to get very agitated. 'I activate Rank-up Magic Argent Chaos Force! With this I will rebuild the overlay network with Rank 9 Dyson Sphere. Chaos Xyz Evolution! Unholy canopy star, open your panels, unfold and wreak havoc on all those who stand against us! I Xyz summon Chaos Number 9 – Chaos Dyson Sphere (Atk:3600). I end my turn.'

Icaron: 'I draw (Icaron LP:1600-2100). I activate Pot of Avarice, to send five cards back from my grave to my deck. Then I draw two more (Icaron LP:2100-2600). Oh look – I drew Pot of Greed, to draw another two cards (Icaron LP:2600-3100). And I activate Card Trader, but you'll learn what that does. I end my turn.'

Maddy: 'I draw. Hey Dad, mind if I borrow your Trap?' 'Feel free.' 'I activate Magic Planter. By sending Marshalling Field to Dad's graveyard, I can draw two cards. And because Marshalling Field hit the graveyard, I can add this to my hand – Rank-up Magic Argent Chaos Force.'

Maddy's body crackled with dark static as she howled. 'This lets me use my own being to rebuild the overlay network! You don't know what's hiding, deep inside the darkness of my own soul. And once this battle is through, you will wish you'd never found out! I Xyz summon the Rank 13 Maddy, the Legendary Primal Wolfblood (Atk:5000).'

'Now I'm going to completely rip you apart, starting with your winged chicken! Fifth Fang Mauler!' 'I activate Overcode. When your monster attacks I can send a card from my hand to the graveyard, and then you both lose the amount of points I would have.'

'I got you Dad. I activate Ring of Defence. This reduces the damage that we both take to 0.' A multi-shield ring appeared on the field and started rotating, blocking the pink light from Overcode. And I'm not done! I activate Lightning Bolt of the Great Gods. This is an un-negatable card which destroys one card on your field. I choose Cyber Dragon Infinity.' Infinity was dismantled by a single powerful bolt, destroying it. 'I end my turn.' 'Soon enough you will all be through.'

Phil: 'Not if I have anything to do with it. I activate Pot of Greed to draw 2 cards' 'I activate Appropriate. When you draw cards outside of your Draw phase, I may draw 2 cards as well (Icaron LP:3100-3600).

'That's fine – I activate Trap Booster. So this turn, I can activate a Trap directly from my hand. Next I'll activate Fusion Gate, and combine it with Chain Material.' Maddy then smiled. 'You go Dad!' 'Fusion Gate allows us to Fusion summon as much as we like by banishing the materials. And with Chain Material, any time I Fusion summon this turn, I can use monsters from my deck and graveyard as materials. I'll fuse Cyber Dragon and Volcanic Scattershot to summon Blaze Fenix, the Burning Bombardment Bird (Atk:2800).'

'Blaze Fenix, I'm activating your ability, to deal 300 damage for every card on the field. You have two on your field, I have three, and Maddy has three, so all that ends up as 2400 damage. Flaming Finale!' 'I activate Damage Pot's effect again, to absorb the damage as 24 more counters (Counters:28-52). 'Now I'll activate Fusion Gate's effect again to fuse Blaze Fenix with Cyber Dragon Core from my graveyard to summon another Blaze Fenix (Atk:2800).'

'Blaze Fenix, I'm activating your ability, to deal 2400 more damage.' 'Once again I activate my Damage Pot, absorbing the damage so I don't have to (Counters:52-76). 'Once again, I'll banish Blaze Fenix and Cyber Dragon from my graveyard to summon a third Blaze Fenix (Atk:2800).'

'Blaze Fenix, you know what to do. Fire away!' 'Damage Pot activate (Counters:76-100).' 'I'll use Fusion Gate for a fourth time, to fuse together Blaze Fenix and Ancient Gear to Fusion summon Ignition Beast Volcannon (Atk:2300).'

'When Volcannon is summoned, I can destroy it and your Winged Dragon of Ra.' Volcannon produced a trio of rockets in it's cannon, and then charged straight into Ra, exploding on contact with Ra, blowing up the legendary god's head.

'Now I'll attack with Number 97. Fifth Fang Mauler!' 'As I control no monsters, I will summon Battle Fader and your attack comes to nothing.' The Level 1 Fiend materialised on the field (Atk:0), and chimed a bell, calming the rabid wolf down. 'I end my turn with a face-down.'

Icaron: 'My turn (Icaron LP:3600-4100).' The god looked at their card, and grinned. 'This is your end! I will use Raigeki to destroy your monsters.' 'Not gonna work with Number 97.' 'Indeed, but it will with all other monsters on your field.' Phil could only watch on as his Chaos Dyson Sphere was destroyed by a bursting bolt of blasting lightning. 'I lay face-down two cards and switch Battle Fader to Defence mode (Def.:0). That's my turn.'

Maddy: 'I draw.' 'The end is NOW! I activate Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Damage Pot! And when I do, we all take 100 damage for every counter on it. But with Rainbow Life, I take none of the damage at all, and regain that many points. But you? You both take 10,000 points of direct damage!'

As the pot exploded, it erupted into a strange red mist, and a jet of red viscous fluid charged out of the remnants of the pot. Phil then looked over at his daughter. 'I'm sorry. How about we go out together?'

Maddy slowly nodded, and then suddenly turned to act. 'I activate my face-down Alpha's Rule 3: Final Sacrifice.' 'What are you doing Maddy?' She smiled at her father. 'I'm protecting you for once. Now get outta the blast zone!' She then turned back to Icaron. 'With Final Sacrifice, I can tribute Number C97 and redirect all effect damage on the field to myself. So you're not gaining any points. But I lose 30,000 Life points.'

While the mist slewed, Phil shouted as his daughter. 'Don't be a hero!' 'I'm not, I'm saving your arse! Because I trust you and I love you! Now get out of the way!' As Phil stood there despairing, the young wolfblood was then overcome by the mist, before being slammed by the powerful jet of fluid, taking her out where she stood (Maddy LP:4000-0).

To be continued…

Next time: The duel to decide the fate of the Renegades reaches a conclusion as Phil stands alone against Icaron in Renegades: A New Dawn Chapter XV: The Last Stand Part 2 (Stronger than God!?)