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.

15. The Last Stand, Part 2

Renegades: A New Dawn

Chapter XV: The Last Stand, Part 2 (Stronger than God!?)

Duel in Progress: Icaron LP:4100 vs. Phil Robinson LP:200

Continued from Chapter XIV

Immediately Maddy had Phil next to her, holding her hand. 'Maddy, why did you do that?' 'Because… I… couldn't win. I couldn't beat him. You… can't lose. Get Mam back, I trust you.' 'Don't go Maddy.' 'I… have to. Don't… let me… down. Remember, you're… the best. You're… my father.' Maddy then vanished in a purple light, Phil holding her hand as she did.

'One down, one to go.' Phil then looked around, face like thunder. 'That's the last person you ever take from me.' 'There's nobody left to take from you. It's almost a pity. Anyway, now she's gone, it's your turn.'

Phil: 'And believe me, I intend on making the most of it. I draw!' Phil then noticed that Maddy's Trap was a continuous trap. 'I set two cards and activate One Day of Peace. So neither of us can deal damage until your turn ends, but in return, we both draw a card (Icaron LP:4100-4600). I end my turn.'

Icaron: 'I draw (Icaron LP:4600-5100). I activate Monster Reborn, to revive Ra's Disciple (Atk:1100). And when one Disciple is on the field, I can summon two more (Atk:1100)x2. Now I will tribute all three to summon once again to our deadly dance, The Winged Dragon of Ra (Atk:0).'

'Ra, I'm activating your ability. When it is summoned, I can pay all but the final 100 of my Life points (Icaron LP:5100-100), and Ra gains that amount of points (Atk:0-5000). I end my turn.'

Phil: 'I draw. I'll activate Graceful Charity, to draw 3 then discard 2. I'll set a monster and end my turn with another face-down.'

Icaron: 'I draw (Icaron LP:100-600). You may think your monster's safe hidden, but Ra says differently! Attack with Flame Cannon!' Ra shot out a burst of fire which burned straight through Phil's monster (Witch of the Black Forest Def.:1100). 'When Witch of the Black Forest is destroyed, I can add a monster with 1500 or less Attack from my deck to my hand.' 'Just choose your useless little creature.' 'Happily.' 'I'll activate Dian Keto the Cure Master (Icaron LP:600-1600), and end my turn.'

Phil: 'I draw. I activate my face-down Imperial Custom.' 'What does such a card entail?' 'I wouldn't spend too long worrying about that, it isn't important. I'll also activate Spirit Barrier.' 'Why do you activate cards which you cannot use?'

'Easy – I have three Continuous Traps out, so I can send all three to my graveyard.' A large serpentine-like creature then unravelled behind the godfather, as Icaron watched on. 'You like to act like a god, and you like to duel with gods? Well two can play at that game. Meet my own god – Uria, Lord of Searing Flames (Atk:0).'

'Yes, of course, you want to join in, I completely understand. Always try to emulate your love.' 'Don't… even… mention… Hannah's… name! Uria's attack is equal to the amount of Continuous Trap cards in my graveyard x 1000. I have four, meaning Uria has 4000 Attack (Atk:?-4000).'

'Yes, that is an excellent total, however it is too weak and I could simply destroy it at the cost of 1000 points, which I clearly have.' 'You would be correct, but for one thing.' 'Which is?' 'The Field spell Fallen Paradise.' Phil's field then changed to a barren landscape with a small, empty tree without leaves as a centrepiece.

'This stops Uria being targeted with Card effects while face-up on my field. Also during my Main phase, I can draw 2 cards. I end my turn with a face-down.'

Icaron: 'I draw (Icaron LP:1600-2100). I activate Pot of Avarice, allowing me to shuffle back five cards from my graveyard into my deck and draw two more (Icaron LP:2100-2600). Now my Winged Dragon of Ra, attack and destroy Uria.'

'I'll activate my face-down, the Continuous Trap called Tandem Quandry. With this I can discard a monster from my hand and it's Attack points are added to Uria. And when the affected monster battles, neither monster is destroyed. I'll discard Deep-Space Cruiser IX, which has 900 Attack points (Uria Atk:4000-4900).' Ra and Uria went flame-to-flame with each other, with Ra just getting the upper hand and pushing the flame into Phil, torturing him further (Phil LP:200-100). 'I end my turn with a face-down.'

Phil meanwhile, knelt, truly drained from the pressure of the constant assaults. Just then though, he remembered Maddy's words. 'I… I can't let her down. I'd be letting everyone down. Now more than ever, I need to fight!'

Phil: 'I draw. I activate the effect of Fallen Paradise, allowing me to draw two more cards. One of which is Magic Planter. By sending Tandem Quandry to my graveyard, I can draw a further two cards. And with another Continuous Trap in my grave, Uria gains 1000 Attack (Uria Atk:4000-5000).'

'You… you've tied my Winged Dragon of Ra!' 'Correct. I activate Mist Body. So when our monsters to battle imminently, Uria won't be destroyed.' 'You really think that will happen?' 'Let's find out – Uria attack!'

'I activate the Trap card Magic Cylinder. This negates your attack, and then, you lose Life points equal to the Attack of Uria. You can't take so much damage. You're dead!' Phil then looked at his wife's body, wide-eyed. 'If I'm going to hell, I'm taking you with me! I activate Ring of Destruction!'

'No!' 'Before you can defeat me, I'll take out both of us.' 'You can't destroy Ra with card effects due to Fallen Paradise.' 'I know. That's why I'm destroying Ra!' A crown of small red bombs adorned the Egyptian God's head, and an alarm went off before the bombs detonated, making both competitors drop to the ground (Icaron LP:2100-0, Phil LP:100-0).

Following the tie, Icaron turned away. 'No matter. I have all the energy I need. I don't need to resort to egotistical games.' Phil then shouted at him. 'You're a coward!' Icaron then turned around, eyebrow raised.

'Come on – I know you are not satisfied with our result.' 'I am satisfied enough.' 'I don't think you are. You're hurt me and you've hurt my family and friends in your own pity party. But you're also an honourable warrior.'

'You may say whichever you desire, but I have ones who rely on my protection as well – in my realm.' 'I am aware. I will let you go, but only once you've answered one question.' 'One question you ask for, one question I grant.' 'My question is this – what will your people think of you when they realise that you ran away from battle?'

The almighty one seemed taken aback by this question. 'I don't understand your question.' 'Will they consider you an honourable warrior still? Or will they think ill of you?' 'Your words will not work, for I see their fraudulence.'

'It isn't fraudulence. All I want is another go. If you're so convinced you can't be beaten by me, why not accept? Because you haven't lived up to your end of the bargain – you said you'd go through all of us. But I'm still here.'

'What do I get out of this situation?' Phil's reply was blunt and instant. 'I want you to release everyone else. If you win, you get mine and Hannah's bodies, and you still get to take revenge and lead the revolution.'

'You feel comfortable? Putting yourself at risk like so?' 'If Hannah's not here, my life just isn't worth living. I refuse to live without her. And I know she feels the same. Now why don't you just do it?'

'I accept. But you must first accept that our Life points will be reset to the start of our contest – I shall have 8000 and you will have 4000.' '4000 is more than enough for me. If you insist on having 8000, that is a price I will accept for the chance to repay everybody.'

'In which case, I accept.' 'One more thing though.' By now Icaron was clearly getting slightly aggravated. 'Name your stipulation.' 'I want to face you.' 'You will be.' 'I mean, I want to face the real you, not Hannah. You said yourself, you have enough to be in your true form.'

'Yes, and you already requested the defeated walk again.' 'After the duel. Before then you can use their energy to duel me as yourself. Afterwards, then you bring them back. And if I lose, you take me and Hannah, no qualms, no questions, no arguments, no appeals.'

'It seems agreeable. As you were able to resist my assaults previously, I will grant your stipulations. But understand that as with Hannah, you are entering a Faustian bargain, and you may not break it once officially agreed.' Phil seemed unfazed by the words. 'I consent to our previously agreed stipulations so long as you accept them also.'

'Good. I too, accept these terms.' Hannah's body then glowed, and her eyes shut, before Icaron rose from the shell of her body, making her body collapse to the ground, while he emerged in his true form, standing several foot high.

As he did this, Phil took two cards from his pocket, and placed them in his Extra deck. 'With your spirit with me, I'm not going to lose. I promise, I'm going to keep you safe this time.' After the transformation, the duel disk erupted from Icaron's arm, and Phil slammed his duel disk onto his arm, activating it. 'This time will be your last!' 'Believe me, you've seen nothing from me yet. I have you exactly where I want you.'

'You do?' 'I could never give my all when I was conciously hurting Hannah. But now I'm not hurting her – I'm hurting you. Something which I have no remorse for.' 'Do you have remorse for everyone else you hurt along the way? Everyone who lost to me in order for you to still be here?'

'They all made their own decisions. I didn't force any of them to defend us. They did it because they cared about what we have here. But you could never understand that because you believe the Renegades is all about revenge. It's about so much more than that. It's about providing those in need of our help somewhere to belong. They believe in our ethos, they believe in us. And I believe… I believe in my own power, that I can defeat you!'

Icaron LP:8000 vs. Phil Robinson LP:4000

Turn 1: Phil: 'As I'm facing a deficit in points, it's only fair I lead off.' 'As you wish.' 'I draw. I summon Cyber Valley (Atk:0). I end my turn with a face-down.'

Icaron: 'An interesting move it must be said. I draw. I discard one card to summon The Tricky (Atk:2000). Tricky attack.' 'You're too predictable. When it's targeted for an attack, I can banish Cyber Valley to draw a card and end the Battle phase.' 'I will lay three face-downs and end my turn.'

Phil: 'I draw. I activate Fusion Gate. While this wicked mist is filling my field, I can Fusion summon at any time by banishing the materials instead of sending them to my graveyard. And I'll trigger my face-down Chain Material. So this turn, I can banish Fusion materials from my deck as well as my hand or field. I'll banish Uria, Lord of Searing Flames and Cyber Phoenix to summon Blaze Fenix, the Burning Bombardment Bird (Atk:2800).'

'I activate my face-down Extra Filter. As I have no cards in my Extra deck, whenever you summon a monster from your Extra deck, I gain Life points equal to half it's Attack points (Icaron LP:8000-9400).'

'I'll activate the ability of Blaze Fenix. Once per turn, you get burned for 300 damage for every card on the field. I control three cards and you four, so that's 2100 damage. Hope you like the heat.' Blaze Fenix unleashed a devastating stream of fire which torched the ground, ripping straight through into Icaron, who tried to shrug the intense pain off with limited success as part of his skin started glowing red (Icaron LP:9400-7300).

'I hope you didn't think I was done, because with Chain Material and Fusion Gate, I can fuse Blaze Fenix and Cyber Dragon Vier to give light to another Blaze Fenix (Atk:2800, Icaron LP:7300-8700).'

'And now the second Blaze Fenix gains it's ability. How do you like your damage – cooled down or served piping hot? Actually you don't get the choice.' As the second Fenix's flames seared through, they created rings of fire which tortured the mighty god, starting to take his breath away (Icaron LP:8700-6600).

'How about one more? I activate Fusion Gate and Chain Material to fuse together my second Blaze Fenix and D.D. Scout Plane to Fusion summon a third Blaze Fenix (Atk:2800, Icaron LP:6600-8000). And guess what happens next? Blaze Fenix, activate your ability, because I believe justice deserves to be deserved red-hot.'

The final Fenix blasted Icaron directly with fire, burning him further (Icaron LP:8000-5900). 'I'll follow up with the Spell card Chaos Greed. I can only activate this if I have at least four cards banished and nothing in my graveyard. And it lets me draw 2 new cards. I lay a face-down and end my turn.'

Icaron: 'I draw. I activate The Monarchs Stormforth. With this card, I can tribute a monster on your field as if I controlled it all along. So I'll remove Blaze Fenix from your field and summon out Granmarg the Rock Monarch (Atk:2400). When Granmarg is summoned to the field, I can destroy a Set card on your field. Hope you didn't want to keep that one.'

'I activate Artifact Sanctum. This allows me to summon Artifact Achilleshield direct from my hand (Def.:2200).' Just as Achillesheild made an appearance, Granmarg punched a fist-shaped hole in Sanctum, destroying it. 'When Artifact Sanctum is destroyed, I can respond by destroying one of your cards.'

'I activate the Spell Silent Graveyard. This prevents any effects from activating in your graveyard this turn. So your Sanctum is destroying nothing but your hopes and dreams. And now, Granmarg' 'Can't do a thing. You see, Achilleshield has another ability. When it's Special summoned, Artifacts on my field can't be attacked for the rest of the turn.' 'You've merely bought yourself slightly more time. I end my turn.'

Phil: 'My draw. I activate a card you might remember from our previous encounter – Different Dimension Capsule.' As the sarcophagus rose, Icaron's eyes widened. 'Yes, a most tricky card.' 'You know how it works – I select any card in my deck, seal it in this capsule, and then in two turns it's in my hand ready to smack you all over the floor with.'

After carefully selecting his card, it was sealed away and vanished again. 'For now I'll activate a Continuous Trap called Clockwork Night. It allows me to treat all monsters on the field as Machines. I also activate DDR – Different Dimension Reincarnation. By discarding one card, I can summon my banished Cyber Dragon (Atk:2100).'

'Now I'll overlay my two Level 5 Machines to build the overlay network. I Xyz summon the next generation in cyber technology - Cyber Dragon Nova (Atk:2100).' 'That thing again.' 'Correct. And next I'm going to rank it straight up. Rank-up Xyz Evolution! It's time to meet the mighty machine which nobody can hope to survive – Cyber Dragon Infinity (Atk:2100).'

'Cyber Dragon Infinity gains 200 Attack points for every Xyz material that it has attached to it. With three materials, that's 600 points (Atk:2100-2700).' 'Indeed a strong monster.' 'It's going to get just a little stronger after it uses it's ability to absorb Granmarg. Go Endless Strident Void!'

Granmarg was helpless as Infinity caught it in a red electric bubble, gradually making the monarch shrink to a singularity which was then absorbed by Infinity (Atk:2700-2900). 'Attack with Strident Infinity Stream!' The upgraded Cyber Dragon charged up a ball of electricity in it's mouth before firing it at high speed towards Icaron, exploding on contact and knocking Icaron into the wall behind him (Icaron LP:5900-3000).

'Get up! I didn't give you permission to stop!' Icaron slowly got up to his feet, gashes all over his thick skin. 'I'll give you credit for being stubborn. However I am still going to defeat you!' 'Just try it. I end my turn with a face-down.'

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

Phil: 'I draw. I'll just attack your monster with Cyber Dragon Infinity.' Infinity fired it's electric wrath at the set monster (Scapeghost Def.:0), frying it. 'I activate Scapeghost's ability because it was flipped face-up.' 'And I'll respond with the effect of Cyber Dragon Infinity/'

'Fine, I'll activate Solemn Wishes, and follow that up with Accumulated Fortune. You know what my Solemn Wishes does by now I'm sure.' 'I am aware.' 'And Accumulated Fortune draws me two cards if it's Chain Link 4 or higher.'

'That's rather a clever tactic. It's a pity you're about to be stung further though. I activate my face-down Chain Strike. This hits you for 400 damage for each Chain link that this card is activated as. As this is Chain Link 5, that's 2000 damage.'

The chain then resolved, as Scapeghost was stopped with a tail swipe from Infinity (Atk:2900-2700), and Icaron's cards activated (Icaron LP:3000-3500), before a fiery chain pierced his abdomen, making him collapse in pain (Icaron LP:3500-1500).

As Icaron writhed around, blood coming from his stomach, Phil stood solemnly and impassively, barely flinching at what he witnessed. He eventually spoke. 'It's your choice – admit defeat and bring back everyone. Otherwise you will suffer more.'

The god then got back up, as the blood continued to leak slowly. 'A true warrior… will never admit defeat… until the last… I stand.' 'I would expect nothing more. But a true warrior you are not. You are merely another pretentious ruler, the kind that I fight against. A true warrior once spoke to me and told me that I could make the world right if only I would trust him and dedicate my life to the cause. He said nothing about stealing away my loved ones in order to get a cheap victory against me. That's why Maddy had to sacrifice herself – you were too busy trying for cheap thrills than to fight us 1-1.'

'Perhaps… you are right. That we will see. However, I did what I did not for cheap thrills. I did what I did to correct the mistakes of this revolution. The errors in your judgement and in your ways.' 'You mean Rio.'

'The Barian girl, yes. But not simply she. Some you bring in as a commitment to a fading race, others purely for pleasure. But they are not warriors, not what we agreed. Only the finest warriors come in as a chance of rebellion. A chance which has not been taken up.'

Phil remained stoic in his beliefs under the intense scrutiny. 'Perhaps we haven't been looking at the same people then. Because the individuals from a "fading race" have as much reason to fight as anybody. This is not my rebellion, however much that may have started as true. It is now a rebellion for us, a united group of people.'

'And your people of pleasure?' 'Everybody has a reason. Everybody serves a purpose. Those "people of pleasure" are people with high stature, they are the ones who have been recognised for their talents. And perhaps, if they can be recognised for their talents, so can we.'

'And if not? If you still can't be recognised, if it is deemed an inconvenience, if they fall out of favour with their public?' 'Well you know what they say – let the revolution be televised. Viva la revolution!'

'I see there is still no reasoning with you. In such a case, I will indeed have to destroy you, however regrettable it is. I was rather hoping you would see sense sooner rather than later, but it appears that you have lost the capability. You have lost the heart needed for such a conquest. Perhaps because your heart has been… otherwise occupied. Now let us continue our contest to see which one of us is truly righteous.' 'Indeed. It is your move.'

Icaron: 'My move (Icaron LP:1500-2000). I activate the Spell card Pot of Greed to draw another two cards from my deck (Icaron LP:2000-2500). I will set a monster and end my turn with a face-down.'

Phil: 'I draw. It's been two turns so guess what's returning.' Phil's Different Dimension Capsule then re-appeared. 'I get back the card that went into this lovely capsule. Now I summon C – Crush Wyvern (Atk:1200). And guess what – Crush Wyvern is a Union monster, meaning I can equip it to Cyber Dragon Infinity.' The bottom half of Crush Wyvern detached from the top half, with the top attaching to Infinity, giving it a second, purple head above the first head, as well as an extra pair of wings.

'While equipped with Crush Wyvern, my Cyber Dragon Infinity gains a total immunity to Trap effects. Meaning that you can't flip anything like Mirror Force or Dimensional Prison against it. Cyber Dragon Infinity, attack!'

Infinity charged up a ball of red electricity, before Icaron acted. 'I activate Magic Cylinder. Crush Wyvern cannot stop this as your monster is not targeted.' 'Yes, I'm fully aware of that. I activate the ability of Cyber Dragon Infinity to detach a material and negate your Trap, destroying it.' As the Trap card was negated and destroyed (Infinity Atk:2700-2500), Icaron laughed. 'Right where I wanted you!'

Icaron's monster then flipped face-up (Scapeghost Def.:0). 'Just as I suspected.' Icaron was completely dumbfounded by this remark. 'You… expected this?' 'I did.' 'Nonetheless, I gain 4 Tokens (Atk:0)x4. So, which clever way did you plan to counter this?' 'I end my turn with a face-down.'

Icaron: 'I draw (Icaron LP:2500-3000). I activate my Bait Doll. So I may look at a card which you have face-down. Let's see what you tried to lure me into.' A wooden hammer then appeared on the field, and slammed onto Phil's face-down. But the result was not what was expected.

'Level Lifter? That card is no use at all. Why aren't you trying to counter me? Perhaps you have just no answer? Nevertheless, I have a job. I tribute three Tokens so I can summon an Egyptian God. It's name is Obelisk the Tormentor (Atk:4000).'

'Obelisk, destroy Cyber Dragon Infinity! Fists of Fate!' 'Bad news – if Cyber Dragon Infinity would be destroyed, Crush Wyvern takes the hit instead.' Obelisk's fists charged towards Infinity, only for them to suddenly veer upwards and decapitate the attached Crush Wyvern, as Phil lay flat on the ground to survive the explosion (Phil LP:4000-2500).

After the explosion cleared, Phil got back to his feet and continued. 'Additionally, because Crush Wyvern went from my field to my graveyard, I can summon another Union monster from my hand. I choose A – Assault Core (Atk:1900).' 'I end my turn with a face-down.'

Phil: 'I draw. I lay another face-down and then equip Assault Core to Cyber Dragon Infinity.' Assault Core's laser-head attached to the top of Infinity, while it's caterpillar tracks buckled on to the back of the Dragon to complete the conversion. 'Now you can't hurt Cyber Dragon Infinity with monster effects. I'll switch it to Defence mode (Def.:1600), and end my turn.'

Icaron: 'I draw (Icaron LP:3000-3500). Obelisk, attack and destroy Cyber Dragon Infinity. Fists of Fate.' 'Don't you learn? All I have to do is send Assault Core to my graveyard and Infinity is safe.' Obelisk's fists deflected from Infinity to the laser on the top, destroying only it. 'And when Assault Core is sent to my graveyard, I can add a Union monster from my graveyard to my hand. I choose C – Crush Wyvern.'

'No matter. I will end my turn. Your philosophies will refuse to change, that's why you must lose.' 'My philosophy isn't the problem here. The problem is you going back on your word. We had a firm agreement, and you chose to completely ignore it.'

'I gave you chance and you rejected it.' 'You gave no chance, no warning at all. There is no justifying your actions here. That's why I have to defeat you – to make you pay for what you've done. Justice will be delivered and I'm the one who's going to deliver it.'

Phil: 'I draw. I summon C – Crush Wyvern (Atk:1200). And the effect of Wyvern allows it to to equip to Infinity again. I end my turn.' 'Not making a move after all?' 'Patience is a virtue.'

Icaron: 'My turn (Icaron LP:3500-4000). I activate The Shallow Grave. This allows us to both select a monster hidden in our graveyards and summon it back face-down. I choose Scapeghost.' 'And I'll choose Gimmick Puppet Des Troy.'

'Your choice is irrelevant! I will attack your Cyber Dragon Infinity with Obelisk.' 'You know the deal by now – by disengaging Crush Wyvern, Cyber Dragon Infinity is safe.' 'Yes, but it would seem you have run out of monsters to summon from it. My turn is done.'

Phil: 'I draw. I flip Gimmick Puppet Des Troy face-up (Atk:1200). Now I activate Des Troy's special ability. Once per turn, it can destroy a Gimmick Puppet monster that is face-up.' Icaron looked on completely aghast at this bizarre move. 'Des Troy is your only one.'

Des Troy then randomly self-destructed without warning, making Icaron laugh… until he saw Phil's face. 'When Des Troy is destroyed by a card effect, I can summon two Gimmick Puppets from my deck. Appear, Gimmick Puppet Twilight Joker and Gimmick Puppet Magnet Doll (Twilight Joker Def.:1600, Magnet Doll Def.:1000).'

'Now I activate the Spell card Star Ladder. This allows me to increase the Levels of all my monsters by one during every Main Phase I have. But if I ever choose not to, then their Levels are automatically reset. I'll use the effect now (Level:8-9)x2.'

'Now I'll use my Level 9 Twilight Joker and Magnet Doll to build the overlay network! Unfold holy canopy star, reveal your eternal light and rain down your wrath on all those who oppose us! Appear before me now Number 9 – Dyson Sphere (Atk:2800).'

'Dyson Sphere, attack his face-down monster with Brilliant Bombardment!' As Phil's confidence started to rise, Dyson Sphere rained down missiles onto the hidden Scapeghost (Def.:0), destroying it. 'I activate Scapeghost's effect.'

'And I'll immediately counter with Cyber Dragon Infinity. By detaching a material, it can negate your effect (Atk:2500-2300).' As Infinity roared, the Black Sheep Tokens vanished as soon as they had arrived, leaving Icaron increasingly annoyed. 'I end my turn.'

Icaron: 'I draw (Icaron LP:4000-4500). You make an error, for Obelisk is more than capable of attacking in it's own right. Attack Dyson Sphere.' Obelisk's mighty fist approached Dyson Sphere, which vanished at the last moment, leaving no target, before re-appearing, one material lighter.

'What witchcraft is this?' 'It's not Witchcraft, it's purely mechanical. When Dyson Sphere is attacked, it can make itself invincible by detaching a material.' 'You are lucky.' 'I'm not lucky, I'm simply better than you.'

Phil: 'My turn. As you control no monsters with less than 2800 Attack points, Dyson Sphere can ignore Obelisk and attack directly. Brilliant Bombardment!' The sun in the centre of the canopy star loaded up a blast of solar energy, before firing it at Icaron while he was under attack from it's meteors, burning further through his body (Icaron LP:4500-1700).

As Icaron cringed in searing pain, Phil kept the bit between his teeth. 'I activate Pot of Greed, to draw 2 cards. One of which is Pot of Avarice. This allows me to draw two cards, but only after I shuffle five cards from my graveyard back into my deck. One of the cards I drew is Frontline Base. With this on the field, once per turn I can summon a Union monster from my hand. I choose Z-Metal Tank (Atk:1500).'

'I'll now equip Z-Metal Tank to Cyber Dragon Infinity, giving it 600 more Attack points (Atk:2300-2900). I end my turn with a face-down.'

Icaron: 'I draw (Icaron LP:1700-2200). I activate Dark Hole, to destroy all monsters on the field.' 'I activate Cyber Dragon Infinity's effect. By detaching it's last Material, I can negate your Spell card and destroy it.'

'Yes, but now you see, you are exposed. I summon Ra's Disciple (Atk:1100). And by summoning it, I can call another one from my deck (Atk:1100). I tribute both of them now for Obelisk's effect. Giving up Obelisk's attack this turn is a small price. Fists of Fury!'

'I'll use Z-Metal Tank's effect, to let Cyber Dragon Infinity survive once again. Face the facts – you're never getting rid of Infinity. Because every time you try, it ends in failure.' 'Next turn, you will truly see that you cannot win. You are in a doomed situation.'

Phil: 'You're not going to get a next turn! I draw!' As Phil looked at his cards, he gave the briefest of smiles. 'It's time for my plan to come to fruition. I activate the effect of Frontline Base to summon B – Buster Drake (Atk:1500). And I'll team it with Cyber Dragon Zwei (Atk:1500).'

'Who cares, you don't have anything to trouble me with on your field...' Icaron then realised his oversight. '… apart from your face-down.' 'Correct. You should know what it is, because it's the same card you overlooked earlier. It's my face-down, the Spell card Level Lifter! This allows me to banish a monster from my graveyard and then two monsters on my field gain it's Level. And the monster I'm banishing is Gimmick Puppet Twilight Joker (Level:4-8)x2.'

Phil then looked to his side, and Hannah's spirit appeared beside him. 'Hannah, I need you.' 'You got me.' They then spoke in unison. 'We overlay the Level 8 Buster Drake and Cyber Dragon Zwei to build the overlay network. Let the holy water wash over you and create the true bringer of hope and courage! Appear, our heart, Number 27: Northern Lights Dolphin (Atk:3000).'

'How… how could you?' 'Easy – me and Hannah, our bond is stronger than anything you can imagine, stronger than anything you could measure. I pushed her to the edge once, I pursued her without heart or sympathy. And she forgave me. She tamed the monster and she saved me. So now, I'm saving her.'

'I activate the effect of Northern Lights Dolphin. By detaching an Xyz material Dolphin has the power to digitize any Spell or Trap I have in my deck, and then use it's effect herself. Get a load of her Data Hornload!'

Dolphin's single horn glowed in a rainbow light, as Phil held up the card Fiery Fervor, which broke into a million pixels, before being absorbed through Dolphin's horn. 'Now I activate another Spell card. This one is called Oni-Gami Combo, and it lets me detach Dolphin's last Xyz material to attack twice during the Battle phase.'

'It's useless when your little sea creature has fewer attack points. It's about as threatening as a trout, and it's just as ugly as well.' Phil then laughed. 'I see you finally start to agree?' 'Northern Lights Dolphin, attack! Aurora Fall!'

Northern Lights Dolphin charged in with a huge wave of water acting almost as a plough, but Icaron didn't flinch as the attack bared down on him. 'Your little fish is too weak. Obelisk, flatten it.' The effect of Fiery Fervor then finally kicked in, and Icaron panicked as Dolphin started glowing red.

'What's going on here?' The reply came in stereo. 'Fiery Fervor's effect activates when the equipped monster battles a monster with higher attack, and doubles Dolphin's Attack points. How's that for cold justice? (Atk:3000-6000).'

Northern Lights Dolphin surged in, as Obelisk punched, with it's horn splitting Obelisk's hand in half, before the mighty god was completely mowed down in battle, making it groan before falling to the ground (Icaron LP:2200-200).

'This… cannot be!' 'Hey Icaron, Hannah's got a message for you.' He then grinned evilly, and spoke in a calm yet sinister voice. 'Game over. Northern Lights Dolphin, attack him directly with Borealis Horn Cannon!' Dolphin swam effortlessly through the water it had created with it's previous attack, before turning it's horn into a drill and spearing right through the centre of Icaron's body as he screamed in agony (Icaron LP:200-0).

Phil spent a moment on his knees, absolutely spent from his efforts, before marching over to a near-dead Icaron and standing over him. 'We had a deal. Now bring them back.' 'They… they will return. It takes a number of minutes. Some may be quicker… than others.'

'How many minutes?' '10. I promise, they will be back.' 'And if you lie? You're not going to survive that.' 'I can survive… I have over 30 minutes left. I promise they will return. I wish… I could be quicker.'

At that moment, Hannah's body started twitching, and Phil immediately ran over to her. 'Hannah, Hannah can you hear me?' She then looked up, looking tired and confused. 'Phil?' She then looked around, and smiled. 'You did it?' 'I did.' 'Where's Maddy? And Rio and Blair?' 'All fell. As did Lydia and Freja. But they will come back, he promises.'

'I… I'm sorry.' 'You had your memory of the Faustian wiped. It's not your fault. All I care about is that you're back.' 'Thank you.' Phil and Hannah then hugged, and waited for everybody else to be revived by Icaron.

10 minutes later

With Rio being the last to revive, Icaron stood, still bleeding, and faced off with Phil. 'I grant you one wish for defeating me. Use your wish wisely, for it may not be taken back.' Phil looked at Hannah, and then answered immediately. 'We desire the ability to wield your power like we once did.'

'Indeed, that was the answer I anticipated. Your wish is my command, I am completely at your service. You will all be infused with my power and it will be available to you whenever you need it.' Icaron then vanished into a fizzing red ball, which split into multiples and floated into each of them. A voice then came from the sky. 'My power… is yours. You are indeed stronger than a god.'

Next time: Phil makes a deal, Maddy receives some unwelcome news, the Arena is complete, and Blair duels against Hannah in Renegades: A New Dawn Chapter XVI: The Next Generation