Yu-gi-oh/RWBY Season 2 Chapter 20
Weakness
The hallway Weiss and Whitley rode through seemed to stretch on forever, a never-ending corridor without escape. Still, they rode on, having no other choice. After what seemed to be hours, but was probably only a few minutes, they finally arrived at their destination, a large circular room with a huge gear underneath. In the center stood Aporia, seemingly no worse for wear from his duel with Ruby.
"Aporia!" Whitley exclaimed. "How are you still alive?" "Technically, I was always dead." Aporia answered. "The true Aporia died years ago, and Zone made a robot duplicate. When Ruby destroyed me, I was simply rebuilt. But that hardly matters to you now." He waved his hand and two chains suddenly rose from the floor, holding Weiss and Whitley. After that, a sound like something being fired from a cannon signaled two small objects flying towards them, hitting them in the chest. Upon closer inspection, they seemed to resemble badges or heart monitors. The whole scenario reminded Whitley of his ordeal with Roman Torchwick.
"In this duel, your life will be tied to your life points, and vice versa." Aporia explained as he readied his duel disk. Whitley and Weiss readied theirs as well. "If this is supposed to scare us, you're dead wrong!" Weiss declared. "Such unearned bravado." Aporia remarked. "Allow me to cleanse you of your fleshly weakness. I draw! I activate the field spell Fortissimo the Mobile Fortress!" All around the three, a large metal structure appeared, with various wires and sockets decorating the walls. As this happens, wires fire out of Aporia, connecting to various sockets in the walls. "Once per turn, the turn player may summon a level 4 or lower machine from their hand. If they don't control a machine, they'll take 100 damage."
The twins looked at each other, realizing the major disadvantage. Neither used machines that much, so they will take damage constantly. "I then use Fortissimo to summon Meklord Army of Wisel!" A smaller version of Wisel flies out of a gate in the wall. (Level 4/1800) "I then normal summon Meklord Army of Skiel!" A smaller version of Skiel flies in, joining its brethren. (Level 4/1200) "I set three cards and end my turn."
Weiss stepped forward, certain of what she needed to do. "I draw! I summon White Glass Cloud since I control no monsters." (Level 1/0) "I activate Level Cannon!" Aporia replies. "Every time a player summons a monster, they take damage equal to that monster's level times 200." A cannon appears, firing a missile at Weiss, who only barely dodges. (Weiss 4000-3800) Crap, Weiss curses. That makes this much harder. And of course the damage is real. "I summon White Glass Pixie from my hand." (Level 1/100) The level cannon fires at Weiss again, who can dodge more easily as she expects it this time. (Weiss 3800-3600)
"I activate the effect of White Glass Pixie, changing the level of White Glass Cloud to be one less than that of a White Glass Synchro monster in my extra deck!" White Glass Pixie flies around White Glass Cloud, causing the latter to glow. (White Glass Cloud Level 1-6) "I now tune my level 6 White Glass Cloud with my level 1 White Glass Pixie! Your perfect scales capture the light of hope. Now, descend and defend us all! Synchro summon! Appear, White Glass Dragon!" (Level 7/0)
"Your every move only hastens your defeat." Aporia declares as Level Cannon fires more missiles at Weiss. (Weiss 3600-2200) "It was well worth it." Weiss spits back. "I set two cards face-down and end my turn." As she does, a beam fires from the wall of Fortissimo. (Weiss 2200-2100) Whitley can only look on in horror. Why did she choose to take on so much damage in a single turn? He shakes his head and draws.
"I summon Black Pawn!" A new black version of the pawn appears. (Level 1/200) As Level Cannon fires a missile, Whitley readies himself for the damage, but Weiss has other plans. "I activate my face-down White Glass Shield! While I control a White Glass synchro monster, all damage I or my teammate would take is reduced by that monster's level times 200!" White Glass Dragon flies in front of Whitley and readies a force field to block the missile. "A feeble defense." Aporia responds. "I activate my face-down Damage Boost. If you would negate the damage my card would inflict, not only is your card negated, but the damage is doubled."
The missile fired at Whitley doubles, but Weiss is unfazed. "I activate my second face-down, White Glass Seal! It not only negates your card, but since I control a White Glass Synchro monster, White Glass Seal is reset, though it can't be activated until my next turn!" The extra missile disappears, and the original is blocked by White Glass Dragon. "Now we can play safely." Weiss tells Whitley with a smile. "Thank you." Whitley replies. "Since I just summoned Black Pawn, its effect lets me summon a black chess piece from my hand. I choose Black Knight!" A black version of the knight appears. (Level 3/1700) "I now tune my level 3 Black Knight with my level 1 Black Pawn! The black advance charges forward. Rise now and bring victory! I synchro summon Black Night's Advance!" The knight transforms into a stronger version of itself. (Level 4/1900)
Time to show off the efforts of my training. "I then activate the spell Opposite Threat. Since I control a Black chess piece synchro monster, I can summon its White counterpart, but its level is reduced by one." The white knight appears, mirroring its counterpart's stance. (Level 4-3/1900) "If either is destroyed, so is the other. But they won't be staying long. I tune my level 3 White Knight's Advance with my level 4 Black Knight's Advance! Take flight, the culmination of our great family's legacy, the pride of the Schnee name! I synchro summon Twilight Dragon!" (Level 7/2300)
As the black and white dragon appears with a triumphant roar, White Glass Dragon roars in response and both sibling's marks glow. Could Twilight Dragon be...Weiss wonders. "I activate the effect of Twilight Dragon, adding a level 4 or lower monster from my hand, and letting me summon that monster this turn. I choose White Knight." (Level 3/1700) "In addition, Twilight Dragon grants my level 4 or lower monsters 500 attack and defense." (White Knight 1700-2200) "Since this is a battle royale, I can't attack you just yet. I set a card and end my turn." As he does, the beam from Fortissimo attempts to hit him, but White Glass Dragon blocks the beam.
"How noble. The girl acting as the shield and the boy trying to be a sword." Aporia monologues with a blank expression. "But shields will shatter and swords will rust. Only the perfection of steel will win out in the end. I draw! I activate Aurora Draw. Since I have no cards in my hand, I draw two cards. I then summon Meklord Army of Granel!" A smaller version of Granel appears. (Level 4/1600) Level Cannon fires four missiles at Aporia, who takes the hit without even flinching. (Aporia 4000-3200) "I activate the effect of Granel, halving your White Glass Dragon's defense." The orange machine fires a beam at White Glass Dragon, which Weiss decides to allow. (White Glass Dragon 3000-1500)
"Wisel, attack White Glass Dragon with Ghoul Kick-Up!" Wisel's arms glow with a blue energy as it starts to attack White Glass Dragon. "I activate the effect of White Glass Dragon to block the attack. Shimmer Scale Flash!" The dragon readies a force field that blocks the barrage of attacks. (White Glass Dragon 0-1800) "Short sighted. Granel now attacks White Glass Dragon with Gravity Prester. And Wisel once per turn lets my other monster deal piercing battle damage." Granel fires a laser from both of its cannons towards the now vulnerable dragon.
"I activate my face-down, Knight's Intercept!" Whitley intervenes. "The attack is redirected towards my monster, and its attack is doubled." White Knight flies forward, ready to slice Granel in two. (White Knight 2200-4400) "I activate my face-down Power Gravity." Aporia counters. "Your attack boost is stopped and your monster's attack is reduced to zero, while my own monster's attack is increased by the boost you would have gained." The strength from White Knight is sapped into Skiel. (White Knight 4400-0) (Meklord Army of Skiel 1200-3400)
"Granel, finish off that knight and teach that boy not to play hero!" Granel fires on the knight, pelting it. (Whitley 4000-2400) "Now, Skiel, finish what Granel started and destroy that pesky dragon with Twin Pulse!" Skiel fires a barrage from its wings at White Glass Dragon, destroying it and White Glass Shield. The impact knocks Weiss off her feet. (Weiss 2200-300) "Weiss!" Whitley tries to run towards her, but is stopped by the chain. "Do you see now, children? This is what happens when you try and stop destiny. You only hurt yourselves. I have taught you despair. I now activate my spell card Lock-On Laser." A new cannon appears from the wall. "Whenever you set a card, you will take 200 damage. I end my turn. As I do, Power Gravity destroys itself." (Skiel 3400-1200)
Weiss picks herself up, brushing the dust off her dress before addressing Aporia. "You are wrong on several things. First, there is no sword and shield between us. We protect each other and are both capable of fighting our own battles. Second, there is always hope, even if it's now always visible. Ruby taught me that time and time again. Finally, you can try and scare us, but if "Destiny" says that millions must dies for your psychotic scheme, then we'll always oppose it no matter the cost to ourselves. This is the potential of humanity, something that you forgot long ago! I draw!"
As Weiss looks at the cards in her hand, she knows there is only one course of action to take, even if it will hurt. She'll just have to trust Whitley. "First I activate the spell card Trap Donation, setting my White Glass Shield on Whitley's side of the field, and in exchange, I draw a card." As she does, Lock-On Laser fires on her. (Weiss 300-100) "I then activate my face-down White Glass Seal. Since I control no White Glass monsters, I can summon one from my graveyard. I summon White Glass Dragon to Whitley's side of the field." The dragon appears next to Whitley, who reacts in horror. "But if you do that, then Level Cannon will-" But it is too late, as the cannon fires its missiles at Weiss, knocking her off her feet. "Take him down, Whitley." Weiss says as she closes her eyes. (Weiss 100-0)
Whitley falls to his knees, tears falling down his eyes. "One down, one to go." Aporia states. "If that is the potential of humanity, I am not impressed." "SHUT UP!" Whitley yells. "I'LL KILL YOU!" He gets up, wiping his tears away. "I DRAW! First, I activate my face-down White Glass Shield, protecting me from damage!" White Glass Dragon emits a shield around Whitley and his cards. "I then activate the effect of Twilight Dragon, adding a level 4 or lower monster from my hand. I then summon Black Pawn and Black Rook from my hand." A black castle appears alongside Black Pawn. (Black Rook Level 4/0-500) "I tune my level 4 Black Rook with my level 1 Black Pawn! The pinnacle of towering greatness will now cripple your hope of attack. I synchro summon Black Rook's Castle!" An even larger black castle emerges. (Level 5/2200) "The effect of Black Rook's Castle reduced the attack of all monsters you control by 500!" A wave emits from the castle, crippling Aporia's monsters. (Wisel 1800-1300) (Granel 1600-1100) (Skiel 1200-700)
"Twilight Dragon, attack Meklord Army of Granel with Twilight Fury!" The dragon fires a black and white blast at the machine. "I activate the effect of Power Gravity in my graveyard, banishing it so that this turn, my monsters can't be destroyed." Aporia calmly says as the beam hits Granel. (Aporia 3200-2000) "I set two cards and end my turn." Whitley growls as the attacks from Fortissimo and Lock-On Laser harmlessly bounces off the shield.
"Believe it or not, I fully understand your pain." Aporia remarks. "Liar!" Whitley snaps. "You're nothing but a machine!" "A machine built on despair. Like you, I failed to protect the ones I loved, both my parents and the love of my life. That is why I must do this, so that no-one else will suffer as I have." Aporia extends his hand. "It doesn't have to be this way. Surrender, and Zone may bring Weiss back just as he will bring my family back." Whitley looks over to Weiss, severely tempted by the offer. After what feels like an eternity deciding, he spits as far as he can towards Aporia. "Go to hell."
Aporia lowers his hand. "So be it. I draw! I activate the spell Boon of the Machine Emperor, drawing a card for every Meklord monster I control, three in total. It is time to put all this to an end. Since I control 3 or more Meklord monsters, I can summon Machine Imperial God Dragon Asterisk!" A large worm-like machine flies out of an opening in the wall. (Level 10/0) "Normally Level Cannon would hurt me, but Skiel negates all damage of 1000 or more I would take. I now activate the spell Blackout Wave! Since I control a level 7 or higher machine, all face-up cards you control have their effects negated this turn." The shield around Whitley dissipates and the wave emanating from Black Rook's Castle stops. (Wisel 1300-1800) (Granel 1100-1600) (Skiel 700-1200)
"Asterisk gains attack equal to that of all other machines I control." (Asterisk 0-4600) "Asterisk, destroy White Glass Dragon and this time, make it stay dead. Infinity Nemesis Stream!" The worm fires a shot from its mouth, destroying the dragon. "I activate my face-down, Long-Term Sacrifice." Whitley says, shaken from losing Weiss's dragon again. "This turn, whenever a monster I control is destroyed, I gain life points equal to its level times 100." (Whitley 2400-3100) "I activate my quick-play spell Synchro Collapse." Aporia replies. "Since a synchro monster you control was just destroyed, all your other synchro monsters have their attack and defense reduced to 0." (Twilight Dragon 2300-0) (Black Rook's Castle 2200-0) "Wisel, teach Twilight Dragon the meaning of pain." As Wisel descend of Twilight Dragon, Whitley interjects. "I activate my second face-down, Rook's Intervention. Not only is the attack redirected to Black Rook's Castle, but this turn, Twilight Dragon can't be attacked this turn."
Wisel's limbs are pulled towards the castle, shattering it. As this happens, the effect of Long-Term Sacrifice activates. (Whitley 3100-3600) "I end my turn." Aporia declares. "I feel it fair to warn you, not only can't you attack any monster other than Asterisk, but if you try and summon another synchro monster, Asterisk will deal 1000 damage to you." Whitley shakes his head. "That doesn't matter. I'll do anything to stop you and save not just this city, but my sister as well!" Just then, the marks of all the signers disappear only to reform on Whitley's back. "I draw! I then activate the effect of Twilight Dragon, adding a level 4 or lower monster. I now summon Majestic Dragon and White Pawn Decoy." Level Cannon fires two shots, but Whitley doesn't flinch as they detonate around him. (Whitley 3600-3400-3200)
"You can't be…" Aporia remarks in disbelief. "I tune my level 7 Twilight Dragon and my level 1 White Pawn Decoy with my level 1 Majestic Dragon! The legacy of the Schnee name is written here, as a hero of the people and a protector of the defenseless. Synchro Summon! Appear, Majestic Twilight Dragon!" A lithe, fairy-like version of Twilight Dragon appears, a course of rainbow light shimmering between its scales. (Level 9/2800) Aporia looks on in shock, but shakes his head to recover. "Even if you have the power of the Crimson Dragon, you will still feel the pain of despair!" Both Level Cannon and Asterisk fire on Whitley, who takes the assault, shielded by a red bubble created by the signer marks. (Whitley 3200-1400-400)
"I activate the effect of Majestic Twilight Dragon, taking control of all level 4 or lower monsters you control. Call to Arms!" The dragon lets out a roar, and all of Aporia's monsters fly over to Whitley, leaving Asterisk defenseless. (Asterisk 4600-0) "Majestic Twilight Dragon also gains 500 attack for every level 4 or lower monster I control!" (Majestic Twilight Dragon 2800-4300) "Is this my fourth despair?" Aporia wonders. "No. What you're feeling right now isn't despair," Whitley explains. "It's hope. Hope that we can save humanity together. Majestic Twilight Dragon, attack Asterisk with Door to Dawn and Dusk!" Twilight Dragon spreads its wings, the left covered in black energy and the right covered in white. The energies merge into the dragon's mouth and is unleashed on Asterisk, destroying it and causing Fortissimo to be blown to smithereens. (Aporia 2000-0)
As the gear below them stops, the marks on Whitley's back disappear. The Crimson Dragon flies out from them and descends just above Weiss. A warm red glow wraps around Weiss, and she awakes. "Weiss!" Whitley runs over and embraces her. "Whitley, I knew you could do it!" "It would seem that you knew more than me." Aporia opines. "Perhaps you are correct. I should give hope a second chance." As Whitley helps Weiss up, the ground beneath them starts shaking. "Follow me." Aporia declares. "I can help you find Zone. Hopefully, we might be able to convince her to stop this plan." The two look at each other, and thinking up no other choice, they follow him.