Chapter 491: Joey Wheeler: I Haven't Gotten On Yet
The midday sunlight wasn't too harsh due to the cloud cover. Listening to Pegasus introduce the newly released card series, Hayato looked up at the clouds of various shapes drifting across the sky.
Out of boredom, he even started associating the cloud shapes with Duel Monsters.
"This one's Righty Driver, this one's Lefty Driver, this one's Predaplant Verte Anaconda, this one's Red Dad and Slacker."
He muttered softly.
"This one's Kitten, this one's Puppy, this one's Heavenly Court Number, this one's Motorcycle."
"Huh!?"
"Where did a Motorcycle come from?"
Hayato suddenly realized something incredible seemed to have just zipped across the sky. He rubbed his eyes and looked up again, but couldn't find the sleek red Motorcycle he had just seen flying through the air.
It was probably a Motorcycle. Anyway, Hayato saw it had two wheels. It couldn't have been a wheelchair; not everyone can struggle and race in any situation like the Cyber Style.
Hayato felt like he should be remembering something, but he wasn't a brainiac with an exceptional memory. At most, he just felt that the Motorcycle flying through the sky just now gave him a strong sense of déjà vu, but he couldn't recall anything related that would happen.
However, even if he didn't remember what would happen, Hayato had a way to find out what that Motorcycle was.
With a light finger snap, Ojama Yellow, still wearing pajamas, found itself being held by Gaia The Fierce Knight and appearing behind Hayato.
Accompanied by a powerful "Ora!", Ojama Yellow shot into the sky!
--- Judai sat on the back seat of Yusei Fudo's Motorcycle, where Akiza couldn't sit ---
"Seriously, they're not listening to us at all."
With an elbow strike, Judai knocked down a security personnel guarding the rooftop. Judai helped the person lie down, "Just rest for ten minutes or so, okay?"
Behind Judai, Yusei Fudo also knocked down another security guard with a "Crab Rising Fist". However, Yusei Fudo, who came from the streets, didn't have the gentleness to help the opponent up, simply letting them collapse and lie on the ground.
Due to his past experience of Bakura exploiting security loopholes to sneak up and gouge his eye, Pegasus was now very careful about his personal safety. Choosing not to arrive at the scene early was both to avoid the troublesome questions from Reporters and for this consideration.
The security personnel who arrived early had cleared out potential dangers in almost every location, including the rooftop. After all, while ordinary people wouldn't come to the rooftop, you never know if someone like Spider-Man or Batman might squat on the rooftop to pose.
However, although the security guards on the rooftop where Yusei Fudo and Judai were located remained vigilant throughout, they were more vigilant about potential intruders on the building's exterior walls and the Stairs leading to the rooftop. They completely failed to anticipate that someone would arrive driving a Motorcycle from the sky.
Standing at the edge of the rooftop and looking down, Judai couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, it's amazing, there are so many people! It looks really lively."
"The more lively it is, the harder it will be for the people present to escape once an Attack occurs," Yusei Fudo began to imagine the tragedy that would unfold if the Masked Man attacked here next. "To defeat the Father of Duel Monsters of this era using Duel Monsters that have developed into the Future, creating a Paradox. That Masked Man's goal is to destroy this entire World and spacetime."
"So we must stop that person. First, confirm the time of that person's Attack, then go back to a time before it and evacuate the crowd," Judai said with a rare serious expression. "As long as we change the Past, the Future will also change accordingly. At that time, the dynamic between us and that Masked Man will be reversed."
"To eliminate Duel Monsters, he will instead need to 'maintain history' and stop us, while we need to defeat him when he comes to stop us."
It sounds simple in principle, but it is very difficult for Yusei Fudo and Judai to implement. The first challenge is that their control over time cannot be too short or too long.
Going too far into the Past could easily trigger too many butterfly effects. By then, perhaps even without the Masked Man needing to act, the World of Duel Monsters would be destroyed by the two of them.
If the time they go back to is too recent, it might not be enough to create sufficient impact to change the Future.
And it was precisely to determine this "degree" that Yusei Fudo and Judai appeared at the time when the Attack was about to happen, to estimate exactly how long they needed to travel back in time later.
Having witnessed the destructive power of the Duel Monsters that caused widespread destruction in Europe at Judai's time, both Judai and Yusei Fudo could imagine that if that Masked Man acted here, most of the people in the plaza below would not be able to escape and would only meet their end.
But they would not, and could not, act to save them, because it would be futile.
They needed to watch coldly as innocent people died in large numbers, and then return to the Past to reverse this Future.
And just then, they noticed a flash of radiance on the rooftop opposite them as well. A giant white Motorcycle landed on the opposite rooftop. Appearing simultaneously with the Motorcycle were Blue-Eyes White Dragon, Stardust Dragon, and others.
The materialization of Duel Monsters was no longer just a simple virtual projection. As soon as they appeared above the Commercial Street Central Plaza, they cast several huge shadows, attracting the attention of the crowd on the ground. Even Pegasus couldn't help but look up, surprised to see the several giant dragons circling in the air.
"Oh, oh! Has KaibaCorp's virtual projection system developed to this extent now? That's truly amazing! It feels just like there are real Duel Monsters flying in the sky," Solomon Muto exclaimed repeatedly. "And the accuracy of Blue-Eyes White Dragon and that Cyber End Dragon is really high."
"However, the other two are Dragon-Type Monsters I haven't seen before."
Solomon Muto was naturally referring to Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon and Stardust Dragon, two Duel Monsters that would only exist in the Future.
Beside Solomon Muto, his Chief Disciple, Joey Wheeler's gaze gradually shifted from surprise and suspicion to seriousness.
"No, something's completely wrong, Master Solomon!" Joey Wheeler stared intently at the Blue-Eyes White Dragon among the four giant dragons. "That Blue-Eyes feels abnormally intense to me. It's completely different from the aura that Kaiba's Blue-Eyes possesses. This is the one thing I absolutely cannot be mistaken about."
"That is definitely not the Blue-Eyes held by Kaiba, and it's about to Attack!"
As Joey Wheeler predicted the meaning behind its upward movement, the Blue-Eyes White Dragon he was pointing at indeed began accumulating an Attack in its mouth. The other three giant dragons also followed suit, raising their heads.
The first to Attack was Stardust Dragon. High-pressure airflow was spewed from its mouth. Stardust Dragon, which usually kindly protected its companions, had now transformed into a machine of destruction. The sturdy Building was directly severed at the waist by its breath with a shake of its head. Large amounts of shattered bricks, stones, and glass fell from high altitude.
The merciless "sword rain" fell upon the crowd who couldn't escape in time. Many people were decapitated by glass before they could even scream, or were directly crushed into meat paste by heavy Building debris.
The other three giant dragons also launched their Attacks one after another, completely engulfing the Central Plaza from various directions.
As for their initial target, Pegasus, he was already suppressed by the half-severed tall Building that fell during the first wave of Attacks. Although he had arranged quite a few security personnel, no amount of personnel was more than futile resistance against the Attack of materialized Duel Monsters. Before being killed, Pegasus only had time to say, "Oh! Noooooo!"
After surviving one round of Attacks, Hayato and the materialized Gaia The Fierce Knight beside him pushed away a piece of Building debris that had nearly crushed him to death.
Thanks to Hayato throwing out Ojama Yellow, he learned from it that a Jellyfish Head and a Crab Head had appeared on the rooftop. This made him realize where the feeling of unease he had felt before came from.
This was clearly the scene where Paradox, the Boss who wasn't the strongest but could be called the bravest among all Yu-Gi-Oh! eras, was about to act and kill Pegasus. The red Motorcycle he saw before must have been the D-Wheel, the vehicle and Duel Device of Fudo Yusei from the Future.
Recalling the disaster that would occur next, Hayato was about to act to slightly evacuate the crowd, but it was already too late. Four giant dragons appeared consecutively in the sky. Two of them might not be familiar to others, but Hayato knew them too well.
Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon, said to be the only one in the World but which you could pull a floor full of in the DP07 Johan pack, and Stardust Dragon, the Tamashii of "Yusei", with the extremely standard 2500 ATK of a Protagonist's Ace Card.
If he hadn't just used Gaia The Fierce Knight, Hayato wouldn't even have been able to complete a Drawing Motion before being crushed to death on the spot.
Seeing the light again after pushing away the giant rock, Hayato looked around and found that the previously bustling Commercial Street had been completely destroyed into a ruin. Not far away, Yugi and Joey Wheeler, who seemed to have miraculously escaped, were holding a broken headband engraved with the character "Solomon" and crying out in grief:
"Grandpa!!!"
"Master Solomon!!"
In the midst of the sorrowful scene, there was always an untimely troublemaker. A triumphant laugh came from the rooftop of a Building in the distance. Hayato turned his head and saw a figure wearing a black and white Mask.
"Hmph hahahaha, excellent! With this, the ultimate experiment is complete! I have achieved an unprecedented Act of Salvation!"
"Who are you?!" Joey Wheeler suddenly stood up, glaring angrily at the wildly laughing Masked Man.
Solomon Muto was Yugi's Grandpa, but also Joey Wheeler's important Teacher. It was Grandpa Solomon's teaching that allowed Joey Wheeler to grow and progress in the field of Duel Monsters. Now, Solomon Muto was dead, and it was very likely this wildly laughing madman who killed him!
However, Joey Wheeler's angry question received no response from the Masked Man. That guy was still laughing wildly.
"The Paradox of the Father of Duel Monsters dying by Duel Monsters is now established! The Future will change from this point!"
"Hmph hahahaha!"
"Hmm!?"
The Masked Man's wild laughter abruptly stopped. Not far from him, on top of a tall Building, a red giant dragon swam out of thin air, circling a Motorcycle as it rushed towards the ground. On the Motorcycle, the Masked Man saw Fudo Yusei and Judai Yuki, whom he had just met not long ago, sitting on the Motorcycle.
"You actually chased me all the way here? Hmph, but it's too late! I've already killed Pegasus!"
The Masked Man was indifferent to the appearance of Yusei Fudo and Judai Yuki. But what he didn't expect was that the Red Dragon, Ultimaya Tzolkin, which brought them, didn't just appear for a short while and then disperse as he had seen before. Instead, after landing on the ground with Yusei Fudo's D-Wheel, it smoothly swallowed Yugi and Hayato, who had survived on the ground, into its mouth, and then rushed into a circular hole and disappeared.
Only Joey Wheeler was left looking bewildered: "I haven't gotten on yet?!"
And in the very next second after the Red Dragon, Ultimaya Tzolkin, disappeared, the Buildings that had been destroyed by Stardust Dragon, Blue-Eyes White Dragon, and the others suddenly flew back into the air as if time was reversing, accurately returning to their previous positions. And the corpses of the people who were killed actually refreshed and disappeared like monster corpses in a video game?!
The expression under the Masked Man's mask twisted. His research on spacetime was quite deep, and he clearly understood why this scene was happening before his eyes. Wasn't it because the Past had been changed?
Clearly, the damned Fudo Yusei and Judai Yuki had taken Mutou Yuugi and Hayato Kobayashi, these two Legendary Duelists, to an even earlier Past to change history!
"To stop me again and again, you won't succeed!" In his annoyance, the Masked Man turned around and once again mounted his giant D-Wheel, chasing the trajectory of the changed spacetime, and leaped back into the Past with them.
---- Third Bomb: Bites the Dust ----
Domino City Commercial Street Central Plaza, 11:30 AM (Half an hour ago)
"Whoa oh oh~~"
Just like half an hour later, a long red dragon appeared out of thin air on the rooftop. However, this time the Red Dragon's flight path happened to collide with the two security personnel on the rooftop. By the time the D-Wheel driven by Yusei Fudo flew out from the dragon's head, they didn't even need to act again; the security personnel on the rooftop had already been knocked unconscious by the Red Dragon, Ultimaya Tzolkin.
Yusei Fudo's D-Wheel skidded to a stop, and Yugi and Hayato, who followed closely behind them, also flew out from the dragon's torso. Yugi's athletic ability wasn't great; he couldn't maintain balance in mid-air at all, fell directly to the ground, rolled out, and hit his head on the guardrail at the edge of the rooftop, crying out in pain.
Hayato's balance was very good. He maintained a leaping posture in mid-air like "Intruder Dio", landed smoothly, and even tilted his head back, flipping up his drooping bangs.
This guy, he's so arrogant.
Judai, who got off the back seat of Yusei Fudo's Motorcycle where Akiza couldn't sit, went to help Yugi, who had hit the railing, up. Yusei Fudo, who had parked his D-Wheel, looked at Hayato, who had a smug look, and thought to himself.
Chapter 492: Paradox
"Huh? Thirty minutes ago!" Yugi exclaimed, his face filled with shock as he listened to Judai and Yusei Fudo's explanation. "And it was the power of Duel Monsters? That's amazing, Duel Monsters has power like that?"
"Well, it is Duel Monsters, after all. Nothing is really surprising," Judai chuckled foolishly, introducing himself to Yugi and Hayato. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Yugi, Mr. Hayato. My name is Judai Yuki, and I'm from the future, over ten years from now."
"My name is Fudo Yusei, and I'm from an even more distant future, several decades from now," Yusei Fudo introduced himself, then continued, "At this current point in time, the 'Father of Duel Monsters', Pegasus J. Crawford, hasn't arrived at the venue for the Duel Monsters Convention yet, and that attack hasn't happened either. So, Mr. Yugi, your Grandpa is still safe."
Yugi looked down from the tall building. After searching for a bit, he easily found the most beautiful Coser among the many Cosplaying Duel Monsters below, and unsurprisingly, found Joey Wheeler and Solomon Muto, the Master and Disciple, from this time period standing beside that Coser.
Confirming that his Grandpa was indeed safe, Yugi couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Hoho, Judai Yuki from ten years in the future?" Hayato, standing nearby, looked at the slightly nervous Judai with interest. "Just to be safe, let me confirm first. You should be the Judai Yuki I know, right?"
Hearing Hayato's words, Judai seemed prepared. He drew a Card from his Duel Disk.
"On the way here, I thought Mr. Hayato might ask me something like this. In that case, I guess this Card is the best proof," Judai flipped the Card in his Hand, revealing a Level 8 Powerful Monster—the Lava Golem, which Judai had used in the future timeline to Absorb Cyber End Dragon and Rainbow Dragon to defend against an Attack.
"This Card was the Enrollment Gift you gave me, Mr. Hayato, when I enrolled in Duel Academy. Although my enrollment is still several years away from the Present, I thought Mr. Hayato would give me this Card in the future just like you did."
Hayato was momentarily stunned looking at the Lava Golem Judai showed him, then nodded with a hint of Helplessness. "Well, as expected, it's a Gift I would give. Lava Golem is indeed Most Suitable when used in conjunction with E·HERO."
Speaking of E·HERO Monsters, although Hayato had once shown the younger Judai he knew various Strange Usage methods, the core theme of E·HERO was ultimately Elemental Fusion. And speaking of Fusion, the most classic one to mention is E·HERO Flame Wingman.
Fusion Summoned using two Normal Monster E·HEROes, "Wind" and "Fire", as Fusion Material, although its ATK is only 2100 Points, due to the existence of the E·HERO Exclusive Field Spell Card, E·HERO Flame Wingman's ATK can easily increase to 3100 during an attack, which is just enough to completely suppress Monsters with 3000 ATK.
After all, it's well known that the Protagonist's Ace Card often has 2500 ATK, while the male lead's rival's Ace Card often has 3000 ATK. Because of this rule, the Number of Monsters with exactly 3000 ATK is quite large, which made Kaiba lose face for a while, as whenever they mentioned ATK, they would always add, "It's a Monster with the same ATK Value as the Legendary Blue-Eyes White Dragon."
It made Blue-Eyes White Dragon seem like a Combat Power unit.
A simple ATK Increase isn't the Key Point. The Key Point is that E·HERO Flame Wingman has the Ability to "inflict Effect Damage to the Opponent Duelist equal to the ATK Value of the Monster Destroyed by Battle."
Destroying Blue-Eyes White Dragon by Battle allows it to inflict an additional 3000 Points of Effect Damage, which is Blue-Eyes White Dragon's ATK, on top of the Battle Damage. This level of Damage is quite Fatal in a 4000 LP Environment, and you could easily be defeated in return if you're not careful.
Because of this, although E·HERO Flame Wingman isn't a Protagonist's Ace Card with 2500 ATK like Elemental HERO Neos, which appeared later, the original Judai still regarded it as his most beloved Hero and also earned the Title "3000 Slayer".
And Lava Golem's Stats are well known to everyone; it has exactly 3000 ATK. First, you Absorb the Opponent's Powerful Monster to turn it into a Lava Golem with 3000 ATK, and then E·HERO Flame Wingman delivers the Fatal Blow. The Effect is definitely excellent.
However, Actually, Hayato never doubted Judai's Identity. After all, other things could be Disguised, but one thing could not be hidden.
That was the demonic Humanoid figure silently floating behind Judai, observing the group—Yubel. From Yubel, Hayato could feel a very strong Dark Power, and it felt similar to Destiny HERO - Plasma from back then, clearly originating from the Power of the Light of Destruction. At the same time, Hayato could also sense the Seal of the Millennium Ring being Dispel.
Clearly, this Judai in front of him indeed came from the Future of his World. And from the looks of it, Judai still launched Yubel into the sky and Received the Baptism of the Light of Destruction.
"Well, let's stop chatting for now. Next, let's exchange some Information," Hayato clapped his Hands, signaling Yusei Fudo, Judai, and Yugi to look at him. "In any case, the Goal is to stop that Masked Man who launched the Attack earlier from taking out Pegasus, right?"
"Not just that, we also need to ensure that History doesn't deviate too much," Yusei Fudo explained. "For example, we can't just take out Pegasus ourselves before the Masked Man does, just to prevent Pegasus from dying at the Masked Man's Hands."
"So many people are gathered here at the Duel Monsters Convention, we need to evacuate the crowd too," Yugi pondered.
Among the few of them, Judai was the most relaxed. He was well aware of his Ability. If it was during a Duel, he was fine, as his Duel Smell was very sharp, but when it came to anything requiring thinking outside of that, he was completely useless. Besides, there were already three smart people trying to figure things out, so there was no need for him to force himself to think as well.
Anyway, once Hayato and the other two came up with a Plan, he would just go and carry it out.
The current Situation was like a Great Fire intentionally set in a Forest. Hayato and the others were at a Time Point before the Fire spread, needing to ensure the Forest wouldn't be burned down. However, at the same time, they didn't have the Ability to extinguish the Fire, because if they extinguished this Fire, the Arsonist would go and set Fire somewhere else unknown.
Seeing that Yusei Fudo and Yugi couldn't come up with a solution for a while, Hayato suggested a Plan. Yugi and Yusei Fudo thought about it and felt that Hayato's method was very feasible and would control the Influence on the Future within a very small range.
However, the method proposed by Hayato was somewhat outside of Yugi and Yusei Fudo's conventional thinking, making them a bit unaccustomed to it. On the other hand, the unconventional Judai thought Hayato's Plan was excellent.
"Whoosh!"
"Boom!!"
In the Gap of the warm-up activities before the official start of the Duel Monsters Convention, from a rooftop, a Light Bullet streaked across the air and landed on the empty Stage from above. It seemed to have hit some Device, causing a small Explosion. The violent blast blew the paper scraps left from the previous performance all over the Stage.
"Whoa!!"
"What happened?!"
A somewhat illusory blazing fire swallowed the entire Stage and spread outwards at a very abnormally slow speed. The Stage was burned down under the Watching eyes of everyone present, followed by the Smoke that inexplicably rose to cover everything.
Before the crowd could react to what kind of Accident Situation had occurred, they heard several childish Voices among them:
"Wow, an Explosion! That's Dangerous!"
"We need to Escape quickly, who knows what will happen next!"
"We have to leave the Plaza quickly!"
Although the emotions in the few Voices were not quite right, sounding like they were reading lines, for the crowd who were good at following others and lacked a backbone, these Voices gave them a Goal for their next Action.
Anyway, no one knew who started it, but everyone present began to run frantically along the Commercial Street, running towards a safe place without looking back, intending to get as far away as possible from the Stage where the Explosion had just occurred.
However, within the crowd, four people stood still, with no intention of Escaping at all.
"Combining Materialization of Duel Monsters and the Virtual Projection System... there's actually a Usage like this," Yusei Fudo praised Hayato and Judai's perfect Cooperation just now. "First, using a Materialized Duel Monster to create an Attack that definitely exists but only for that Instant to attract everyone's Attention, and then using the illusory images created by the Virtual Projection System."
"After all, if the Attack is too small, it's not easy to scare people away, and if the Attack is too big, the Destruction caused will be excessive," Hayato said with a smile, retrieving a Trap Card from his Duel Disk. Yubel behind Judai also lowered her arm.
And as Hayato took away the Trap Card in his Hand, the Illusion that had fooled everyone was Dispel, revealing the main Stage of the Duel Monsters Convention with a large Hole blown in the Wooden Floor, but otherwise perfectly intact. The Smoke and blazing fire from just now vanished into thin air.
"I see, setting Fire to create an Open Space before the Flames reach the Forest, so that the spread of the Flames can be isolated and the entire Forest prevented from being burned down," Yugi confirmed that his Present self had already left with Solomon Muto and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. "If the Duel Monsters Convention is Interrupted halfway, it can still be held later."
Yusei Fudo also nodded. "This way, at least the people present won't be killed by the Accident at 12:00. Next, we just need to contact Mr. Pegasus—"
"That's something I won't let you do!"
A Voice came from afar, interrupting Yusei Fudo's unfinished words.
A Pitch-Black Portal suddenly opened up in the Open Space of the Plaza. The giant D-Wheel driven by the Masked Man leaped out from the Portal. The golden-haired Masked Man riding the giant D-Wheel gnashed his teeth even more furiously when he found that his reckless driving hadn't hit a single person.
"You actually evacuated everyone from the scene! Are you trying to obstruct me this way, you stubborn Ghosts of the Past!"
Standing up from his Vehicle, the Shinri-go, the Masked Man, whose bare arms were full of muscles and whose build was robust, looked at the people standing opposite him. "Legendary Duelists from various Eras have gathered? But don't think you can stop my Act of Salvation!"
As he stood up, the Masked Man also took off the black and white Mask on his face, which was paradoxical, revealing a rather handsome face.
"My Name is Paradox, from the distant Future, wandering through various Eras searching for Possibility. My Goal is to become the Hero who Saves the World."
"You, don't think you can block my path!"
"You guy, you're clearly just a Terrorist who disregards Human Lives, what kind of Saving the World are you!"
Judai was Annoyed that the Masked Man—Paradox—called himself a "Hero". Because based on everything Judai knew about Paradox's actions so far, there was nothing that could be called heroic; he didn't even have the Qualification of an anti-hero. No one understood "Hero" better than Judai.
"Hmph, your vision is ultimately limited by your Era, you can only see the partial Destruction, but you cannot see the Rebirth hidden behind the Ruin," Paradox snorted coldly. "I told you, I come from the distant Future, even more distant than Fudo Yusei's,"
"A Future Destroyed by Duel Monsters."
Paradox seemed to have his Memories stirred, saying with a sigh: "A Doomsday-like Future where Energy is Depleted."
Yugi was very shocked: "Duel Monsters, Destroyed the Future?!"
"No, that kind of Future is not Possible!" Yusei Fudo questioned. "You don't need to go to the more distant Future, just in my Era, a Perpetual Motion Machine with Infinite Energy has already appeared. As long as people can Duel, they can generate inexhaustible Energy."
"If it were reasons like Alien Invasion or Human War, it might be Possible, but 'Energy Depletion' is the one thing that cannot happen."
One must know that Yusei Fudo's Father was the inventor of that Perpetual Motion Machine. New Domino City in the Future even elevated the Status of Duelists extremely high because the Energy of the Perpetual Motion Machine came from Duels. The Strongest Duelist could even receive the Title of "Pharaoh".
"That is indeed correct. The Perpetual Motion Machine with Infinite Energy was Born in your Era, Fudo Yusei."
"However, that was just the Beginning of Despair."
Paradox sneered, "When Material Life is satisfied, Humans do not therefore pursue Spiritual Life. Instead, they only generate endless Greed due to Material abundance."
"The more they crave, the more it leads to the Degeneration of Human Spiritual Culture. And the Perpetual Motion Machine, which reads the Human Heart, reverses because of this. Material and Spiritual fall into two extremes, neither is attainable. This is the 'contradiction' of Humanity, and the inevitable Future of Despair they will face."
"Therefore, I will Destroy Duel Monsters, which gave Birth to the 'Synchro' that Destroyed the World, in my own way!"
Yugi complained: "What's with that 'Synchro'? It has nothing to do with our Era!"
"After all, even without Synchro, Duel Monsters will continue to develop. If it's not 'Synchro' Destroying the World, it might be various Strange methods like Xyz, Pendulum, or Link that Destroy the World," Hayato said words that the others couldn't understand at all. "So, Paradox thought he might as well just Destroy Duel Monsters cleanly."
"It's not Parado, it's Paradox, it's Paradox!" Paradox corrected Hayato's Strange pronunciation of his Name, snorted coldly, and operated the controls on his Shinri-go. "I have collected the Strongest Cards from various Eras to form my Deck. Since you are stubbornly obstructing me, I will Annihilate you here using Duel Monsters!"
Only to see the rear wheel of the D-Wheel beneath Paradox's feet magically unfolded and split into two, transforming into two wing-like structures. The long motorcycle head retracted, and the front wheel flipped flat, changing the original motorcycle Appearance into a Hover Machine, gradually leaving the Ground.
Standing on the Shinri-go in Duel Mode, Paradox put on a Duel Disk and inserted his Deck: "You, who became famous in History because of Duel Monsters, shall be killed by me here using Duel Monsters!"
"As expected, language won't convince this guy," Yusei frowned, looking at the flying Paradox. "We can't come to an understanding with him."
"Sacrificing the present for the future? What kind of hero does that make?" Jaden was equally indignant.
Hayato nodded. "When you aim to be a hero, you've already lost the right to be one."
"In that case, we'll defeat him with a Duel!" Yugi's [Millennium Puzzle] on his chest glowed as he turned to look at the others. "Everyone, let's go together!"
"Right!" X3
Facing Paradox, who intended to destroy the world, the four Duelists from different times stood in a line. Hayato, Yugi, and Jaden raised their Duel Disks above their heads, deploying them. Although Yusei's Duel Disk didn't have a deployment function, he raised it above his head anyway to fit in.
Yugi handed control over to Yami Yugi in the [Millennium Puzzle]. Although Yusei didn't have his [Stardust Dragon] with him for the moment, the Crimson Dragon, [Ultimaya Tzolkin], appeared in its stead. [Yubel] behind Jaden spread its wings and crossed its arms over its chest.
As for Hayato, he ran a hand through his hair, and his usually understated hairstyle shot up as if he'd applied hair gel, each strand standing on end. The [Millennium Ring] and [Millennium Rod] resonated with each other, emitting a golden light. There was no need for a spirit companion to boost his coolness; Hayato's own aura was already high enough.
"Nothing is impossible for a King's Duel on Earth. All things are within my grasp!"
"Duel!" X5
[Paradox: 16000 LP]
[Yugi, Jaden, Yusei, Hayato: 4000 LP]
"Even you Legendary Duelists, who have left your names in history, stand no chance against my Deck, which has gathered the strongest cards from every era." Paradox looked down on them, drawing five cards into his hand. "My LP are four times yours, and the rules of the Duel are a rotation system."
"Now, I'll take the first turn! Draw!"
Paradox said, drawing a card, a smirk playing on his lips. "First, I will bring you to a world burdened by sin. I activate the Field Spell Card, [Malefic World]!"
As Paradox placed a card in the Field Zone, a stream of black lightning erupted from his Duel Disk, rapidly spreading to cover the flying device beneath his feet.
Following this, using several signal emitter-like devices extended from Paradox's Malefic Truth Dragon in Duel mode, the black lightning that permeated the vehicle was fired towards various corners of the deserted plaza where the group stood.
The pinkish-purple, cosmic-like holes that had appeared when Paradox traveled through time now manifested at the points struck by the black lightning. They expanded and connected, transporting the five Duelists to a fantastical world.
"[Malefic World]..." Yami Yugi frowned. "It's just a Field Spell Card, yet this ominous feeling... what is it?"
"Duel Monsters that destroyed the world are, without a doubt, manifestations of human sin. The [Malefic] Deck I'm using is the best proof of that." Paradox raised the Duel Disk on his arm. "To oppose me is, in a sense, to oppose the history of Duel Monsters—a history full of sin."
"While [Malefic World] is on the field, I can forgo drawing a card during my Draw Phase and instead add one random [Malefic] card from my Deck to my hand."
Paradox proudly lifted his head, expecting exclamations of awe from these people he considered "ancients."
The specialty of his [Malefic] Deck was its ability to send powerful monsters that normally required specific conditions to the Graveyard directly, in order to Special Summon [Malefic] monsters that possess identical combat power and even inherit their special effects.
For example, to summon a [Cyber End Dragon], one would typically need three [Cyber Dragons] as Fusion Material and a [Polymerization] card. However, the [Malefic Cyber End Dragon] he created after taking control of [Cyber End Dragon] only requires sending a [Cyber End Dragon] from the Extra Deck to the Graveyard to be Special Summoned.
To summon a powerful monster with 4000 ATK and piercing battle damage without even using a Normal Summon is simply invincible.
However, Paradox also remembered an ancient proverb: "Powerful cards often come with risks." The flaw of [Malefic] monsters, with their incredibly simple summoning conditions, was that without [Malefic World] on the field, [Malefic] monsters would self-destruct. Also, for their Special Summon, the original monster had to be sent from the "Deck" to the Graveyard.
Thinking of this, Paradox glanced with a hint of disdain at the [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon] in his hand, as well as the [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] he had taken from an old man named Solomon Muto, from a future relative to the current era.
Very subtly, Paradox had inadvertently fallen into the predicament known as a "high-level starting hand." He had only collected one [Blue-Eyes White Dragon], and now that he happened to draw it, his [Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon] was a dead card. He didn't know if it was his own luck or a problem with [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] itself.
Speaking of [Blue-Eyes White Dragon], the one Paradox had taken from Solomon Muto was in a damaged state and originally couldn't be used in Duel Monsters. However, because Paradox had developed his own card transfer technique specifically to acquire powerful monsters, he successfully transferred the damaged [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] onto a normal card.
Yet, Paradox waited for a long time but heard no exclamations of surprise from the people below.
It wasn't that no one spoke, it was just—
"Huh? Is that all?" Jaden scratched his head, confused. "Are there no more troublesome effects? Like, my monster gains 1000 ATK when attacking a monster with higher ATK?"
"Although it's called [Malefic World] and sounds cool with impressive visuals, its effect is underwhelming," Hayato shrugged, looking as if he didn't take [Malefic World] seriously.
"What do you guys know!?" Paradox wished he could grab them by their collars and explain in detail how crucial [Malefic World] was to the [Malefic] Deck. Just guaranteeing he wouldn't get a bad hand later was already incredibly useful!
But before he could explain, Hayato's words dealt him a fatal blow.
"Randomly drawing a card, and then being restricted from drawing anything other than a [Malefic] card... sounds pretty pointless. After all, shouldn't a true Duelist be able to draw whatever they want?"
Yugi Muto, the Improvised Rules Master: "Indeed."
Jaden Yuki, the Heart of the Cards Master: "Exactly."
Yusei Fudo, the Card Creation Master: "Yeah, yeah, yeah."
Why are these ancients so pretentious? Paradox's mood grew increasingly sour. He snorted, too lazy to continue talking to them, and proceeded with his turn.
"Though it's currently dead weight, it's not entirely useless. It was for situations like this that I prepared this card in my Deck." Paradox inserted a card into his Spell & Trap Zone. "I activate the Normal Spell Card, [Trade-In]! I discard one Level 8 Monster from my hand, then draw two cards from my Deck."
"I will discard the [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] from my hand, then draw."
"That's Kaiba's [Blue-Eyes]!?" Yugi was quite shocked that Paradox possessed a [Blue-Eyes White Dragon]. He had forgotten about it earlier because it hadn't been mentioned again, but now Yugi remembered that among the materialized monsters that had attacked the Duel Monsters tournament venue half an hour ago, there was indeed a [Blue-Eyes White Dragon].
"That's right. I told you, my Deck gathers the strongest Duel Monster cards from every era. Although a [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] is, at its core, just a Normal Monster with 3000 ATK, it truly did exist as the strongest at one point in Duel Monsters history."
"In that case, I naturally wouldn't miss the chance to obtain it, and I certainly defeated the one who stood in my way."
Paradox didn't clarify Yugi's misunderstanding. After all, snatching a [Blue-Eyes White Dragon] torn in half from a frail old man versus taking a precious ace card from the historically famous Legendary Duelist Seto Kaiba—the latter obviously sounds more impressive.
Besides, he hadn't lied. He did defeat that old man who stood in his way. If Yugi and the others interpreted "the one who stood in my way" as Seto Kaiba, that was their own problem.
"I can't believe that in the future, even Kaiba..." Yugi's expression grew serious. "It seems I must be careful, or I might suffer the same fate as Kaiba."
But at the same time, another doubt arose in Yugi's mind: "The discard cost plus the cards drawn, and it's even restricted to a Level 8 monster. In the end, it only lets you draw two cards."
"It can't mill as efficiently as [Graceful Charity], and its draw power isn't as good as [Pot of Greed]. Just like that Field Spell Card, [Malefic World], it's a card whose purpose is unclear."
This time, Paradox didn't need to say anything; Jaden, standing next to Yugi, explained for him. "No, if we could, we'd definitely prefer to use cards like [Graceful Charity] and [Pot of Greed], but it's not that we don't want to, it's that we can't."
"Although I'm not sure what the Forbidden & Limited List in the future is like, by the time I was in school, [Pot of Greed] was already a Limited Card. In the second semester of Duel Academy, it was sent directly to the Forbidden List."
"In my era, a nerfed version of [Graceful Charity] called [Angelic Baton] came out, which made you draw two and discard one. But cards like [Graceful Charity] and [Pot of Greed] have been forbidden for decades."
Yusei also explained the situation in the future. "Although Duel Disks allow these two cards to be used, they're out of production. The newest ones are antiques from decades ago, all privately treasured."
Dueling with antique cards would be like eating food from a centuries-old antique bowl—excessively extravagant, and no one would be so careless with their cards.
However, in this era, [Pot of Greed] and [Graceful Charity] seem to be widely circulated. As Yusei thought about it, his eyes lit up. If he brought some "specialty goods" back with him... wouldn't that be something?
"Then I will draw two cards." Paradox didn't pay too much attention to the others' conversation. He drew two cards, and upon seeing them, a triumphant smile appeared on his face.
"Now, I will send [Cyber End Dragon] from my Extra Deck to the Graveyard." The purple [Cyber End Dragon] was pushed into the Graveyard by Paradox, and behind him, the ultimate technique of the Cyber Style—the silhouette of [Cyber End Dragon]—materialized.
"He's giving up on his old friend [Cyber End Dragon] right at the start," Hayato raised an eyebrow. "And it's sent to the Graveyard, not banished. It looks like things are about to get troublesome."
"Come forth, [Malefic Cyber End Dragon]!"
As Paradox shouted, several black lightning bolts converged around [Cyber End Dragon], creating pieces of dark armor out of thin air. They brutally encased [Cyber End Dragon]'s body, ignoring its struggles.
Subsequently, black lightning surged, covering [Cyber End Dragon] entirely. The eye monitors in its three heads flickered out. But in the next instant, all six eyes simultaneously glowed with a crimson light.
"GAAARRGH!!!"
[Malefic Cyber End Dragon] [Level 10/DARK]
[Machine/Special Summon/Effect]
[ATK/4000 DEF/2800]
"There's more! I will send [Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon] from my Deck to the Graveyard! My second [Malefic] monster, [Malefic Rainbow Dragon]!"
Just like with [Cyber End Dragon], Paradox sent the [Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon] he searched from his Deck to the Graveyard. Beside [Malefic Cyber End Dragon], [Malefic Rainbow Dragon] appeared in the same manner.
[Malefic Rainbow Dragon] [Level 10/DARK]
[Dragon/Special Summon/Effect]
[ATK/4000 DEF/0]
"Jesse's and Kaiser's cards! And they've all been dyed black, even their Attributes have been changed to DARK!" Jaden's eyes widened, looking at these two monsters Paradox had taken from his friends, their appearances warped beyond recognition.
"Their Attack and Defense are also identical to the original monsters. In that case, maybe even their effects..."
The sharp-eyed Yugi, despite the distance, glimpsed the ATK and DEF values on the [Cyber End Dragon] and [Ultimate Crystal God - Rainbow Dragon] cards, which matched the two monsters before him.
Although Paradox's quick movements prevented him from clearly seeing the effects of the two monsters sent to the Graveyard, Yugi, associating this with a certain person, guessed that these two [Malefic] monsters very likely inherited the effects of their originals.
At the same time, Yugi Muto, inside the [Millennium Puzzle], couldn't help but complain to Yami Yugi outside, "Taking someone else's monsters, modifying them into similar, alternate versions, and not even changing their effects, ATK, or DEF."
"I suddenly feel like Paradox's goal to eliminate Pegasus isn't so simple. Is he really just trying to change the future, or does he think he and Pegasus just have clashing dueling styles?"
"That guy isn't going to pull out some other 'true ace' after his [Malefic] monsters are destroyed, just like Pegasus pulls out [Relinquished] when his [Toon] monsters are countered, is he?"
(end of chapter)
Chapter 494: Go, Give Him Two Slaps
(Malefic Cyber End Dragon )[ATK4000]
(Malefic Rainbow Dragon)[ATK4000]
"To Summon two monsters with 4000 ATK in a single Turn, isn't that a bit too much?" Yusei Fudo said with a frown.
In his era, while there weren't no aggressive play Decks, most of them had already fallen out of the meta. More Decks focused on fluid combo plays, Special Summoning multiple monsters in one Turn, defending against the opponent's attacks, and disrupting the opponent's plays.
Rather than Summoning a single powerful monster, his era was more about Summoning several slightly weaker monsters, to prevent being wiped out after their boss monster was removed.
The typical boss monster's ATK was mostly around 2000, and a monster with 3000 ATK was already considered a strong aggressive play type. For example, Yusei Fudo's friend and rival, Jack Atlas, had `(Red Dragon Archfiend)`, a monster with 3000 ATK as his ace card, and it had the powerful effect of destroying all the opponent's Defense Position monsters when it destroyed a Defense Position monster.
However, the Paradox before them had easily Summoned two powerful monsters with 1000 more ATK than `(Red Dragon Archfiend)`, almost without cost. Listening to Mr. Yugi's murmur, these two monsters might even inherit their original powerful effects.
Isn't this a bit too unfair?
"Hehe, this is the `Malefic` Deck. The `Malefic` monsters I use symbolize the evil and darkness hidden behind the Duel Monsters. As the desires within the hearts of mankind endlessly increase, `Malefic` monsters even transcend the limits of original Duel Monsters and can be Summoned without cost."
Paradox was quite pleased with Yusei Fudo's expression. Compared to older guys like Hayato, Yugi, and Jaden, "Yusei Fudo," whom "that person" praised as having the most hope to become the savior, was much more agreeable.
However, even Yusei Fudo cannot, will not, and could not become my stumbling block.
"Originally, `(Cyber End Dragon)` and `(Rainbow Dragon)` both have their own troublesome Summoning conditions, but `Malefic` monsters can send them directly from my Deck to the Graveyard and Special Summon them from my hand."
"Since you claim you must stop me, then at least first defeat the `(Malefic Cyber End Dragon)` and `(Malefic Rainbow Dragon)` on my field, and show me your resolve!"
Saying this, Paradox inserted another monster card from his hand, other than the `(Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon)` that was stuck in his hand, into the Spell & Trap Zone. "Since it's the first Turn, I cannot enter the Battle Phase. So, after Setting one card, my Turn ends."
[Paradox: 16000 LP, Hand: 2]
[(Malefic Cyber End Dragon)][ATK4000]
[(Malefic Rainbow Dragon)][ATK4000]
[Set Card: 1]
Field: (Malefic World)
"Two Level 10 monsters, yet he didn't Overlay them into the invincible `(Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max)`. Otherwise, it would have been a sure kill," Hayato quipped, looking at Yusei Fudo next to him. "Yusei Fudo, go, give him two slaps."
"Huh? Does that mean I get the first Turn?" Yusei Fudo tried to understand Hayato's meaning, nodded, and said to Yugi and Jaden, "Everyone, please watch, my Duel!"
"Oh, go, Yusei Fudo!" Jaden cheered Yusei Fudo on. "The hatred of having your precious card taken away, you have to OTK the opponent at least ten times to repay it!"
"Be a bit careful of potential counterattack methods. Because of the nature of `Malefic` monsters, the opponent is very likely to Set matching Traps," Yugi also subtly reminded him.
Yusei Fudo nodded, then stepped forward, looking up at Paradox in the sky: "Although you speak of the future world being destroyed by the rampant desires of humanity, how can you deny the past because of the future?"
"I will shatter your delusion of destroying the world. Draw!"
Adding a card to his hand, Yusei Fudo immediately activated it: "First, the Normal Spell Card `(Tuning)`. This card allows me to add one `Synchron` monster directly from my Deck to my hand. Then, as an exchange, the top card of my Deck is sent to the Graveyard."
"I will add `(Junk Synchron)` from my Deck to my hand."
"Next, I activate the effect of `(Unknown Synchron)` from my hand! If there is a monster on the opponent's field and no monsters on my field, I can Special Summon it directly from my hand!"
As Yusei Fudo slammed a card onto his Duel Disk, an eyeball-shaped Machine-Type monster materialized on his field, its amber pupils seemingly taking everything in.
[(Unknown Synchron)][Level 1/DARK]
[Machine/Tuner/Effect]
[0/0]
"So strong! Its ATK and DEF are both 0, and it has the same effect as `(Cyber Dragon)`!" Jaden was very interested in the future monsters Yusei Fudo was using. "But, 'Tuner' is…"
"Tuner monsters are a quite important category in future Duel Monster Deck construction, because a Special Summoning method called 'Synchro Summon' will be popular decades from now," Yusei Fudo explained to Jaden, who looked curious.
"Similar to Ritual Summon, if you gather Tuner monsters and non-Tuner monsters on the field, as long as their combined levels exactly reach a specific level, you can perform a Synchro Summon."
"Compared to Ritual Summon and Fusion Summon that have fixed combinations, the conditions for Synchro Summon are more flexible."
"That sounds like a very interesting Summoning method. It's truly a pity I can't experience it in the future," Yugi said with some regret.
Although he didn't know when "Synchro Summon" would appear in the future, from Jaden's reaction, it wouldn't be for at least ten years.
Although living in this current era made Yami Yugi very happy, he knew that his true home was not the Real World. As someone from the past, he would eventually bid farewell to his friends and return to the Underworld.
According to Ishizu Ishtar of the Tomb Keepers, by gathering the three `Egyptian God Cards` and the seven `Millennium Items`, like gathering "three souls and seven spirits" and fulfilling these two necessary conditions, he could reclaim his lost memory and important name.
The `Egyptian God Cards` were in Hayato's hand, and among the seven `Millennium Items`, he had already encountered the `(Millennium Rod)`, `(Millennium Puzzle)`, `(Millennium Ring)`, and `(Millennium Necklace)`. Additionally, there was the `(Millennium Eye)` that Ryo Bakura had taken from Pegasus.
Although two more remained unaccounted for, the day of departure was steadily approaching. Thinking of this, Yugi couldn't help but feel a sense of loss.
Yusei Fudo's operations continued.
"I activate the Spell Card `(Magnetic Summon Circle LV2)`. Its effect allows me to Special Summon one Machine-Type monster with Level 2 or lower from my hand. I Special Summon `(Harmonizing Assistant)` in Defense Position."
Yusei Fudo played his second card, Special Summoning another monster to the field. `(Harmonizing Assistant)`, with what looked like a `(Mysterious Chinese Pot)` on its head, adjusted the long scarf draped to the ground around its neck, crossing its arms defensively in front of it.
[(Harmonizing Assistant)][Level 1/LIGHT]
[Machine/Effect]
[100/300]
"Oh! Two Level 1 monsters!"
"He gathered two Tributes without a Normal Summon!"
"Link-2!"
Listening to the exclamations of the three behind him, Yusei Fudo tried hard to suppress his urge to retort. He thought he had just explained "Synchro Summon," so what were they thinking?
His inner complaints remained just that, inner complaints. Yusei Fudo calmed his mind and declared: "With this, I have gathered one Tuner monster and one non-Tuner monster on the field, with a combined Level of 2."
"Level 1 `(Harmonizing Assistant)` and Level 1 `(Unknown Synchron)`, Synchro Summon!"
Following Yusei Fudo's command, his two monsters leaped into the air. `(Unknown Synchron)`, the Tuner monster, instantly became transparent and disintegrated, transforming into a green ring. `(Harmonizing Assistant)`, following `(Unknown Synchron)`, transformed into a blue star the moment it passed through the ring.
"Gathered prayers will head towards a new speed horizon, becoming a path shining with light!"
Yusei Fudo raised his arm and shouted,
"Synchro Summon! The power of Hope! Synchro Tuner, `(Formula Synchron)`!"
The blue star and the green Synchro ring resonated, suddenly transforming into a dazzling pillar of light restrained by the ring. From that pillar of light, a Formula race car sped out, landing on Yusei Fudo's field and transforming into a Machine-Type warrior!
[(Formula Synchron)][Level 2/LIGHT]
[Machine/Synchro/Tuner/Effect]
[200/1500]
"Amazing!" Jaden exclaimed in admiration, having witnessed "Synchro Summon" firsthand. "Just as Yusei Fudo said, without cards like `(Polymerization)`, it combined the power of two monsters into a stronger one!"
"Because of `(Formula Synchron)`'s effect, when it is Synchro Summoned, I Draw one card from my Deck," Yusei Fudo said, drawing a card, and then continued, "And `(Harmonizing Assistant)`'s effect, when it is sent to the Graveyard as Synchro Material, I Draw another card."
Yusei Fudo's hand size returned to five cards.
"Oh? A replenish hand effect. But it's useless. After all, `(Formula Synchron)` is just a weak monster with 1500 DEF. In front of `(Malefic Cyber End Dragon)`, which inherited `(Cyber End Dragon)`'s piercing effect, it can't even serve as a barrier."
Paradox's attitude towards `(Formula Synchron)` was quite disdainful. In his perception, Duel Monsters without "Dragon" in their name were all trash.
"This turn, I have not yet performed a Normal Summon. I will Normal Summon `(Junk Synchron)`, which I previously searched to my hand via `(Tuning)`'s effect," Yusei Fudo continued his board development seriously, unaffected by Paradox.
[(Junk Synchron)][Level 3/DARK]
[Warrior/Tuner/Effect]
[1300/500]
Looking at the yellow midget with a tattered engine on its back appearing on Yusei Fudo's field, Hayato suddenly felt his hands incredibly itchy, wishing he could immediately throw out a `(Ghost Belle & Haunted Mansion)` to interrupt. After all, speaking of `(Junk Synchron)`, it's impossible to get around another associated monster card.
"When `(Junk Synchron)` is Normal Summoned, I can activate its effect by targeting one Level 2 or lower monster in my Graveyard, Special Summoning that monster to my field in Defense Position with its effects negated. I will Special Summon `(Harmonizing Assistant)` from my Graveyard in Defense Position."
"Then, the effect of `(Doppelwarrior)` from my hand! When a monster is Special Summoned from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon `(Doppelwarrior)` from my hand!"
[(Harmonizing Assistant)][Level 1][DEF 300]
[(Doppelwarrior)][Level 2/DARK]
[Warrior/Effect]
[800/800]
`(Harmonizing Assistant)` climbed out of the Graveyard for overtime, still wearing its wok, and `(Doppelwarrior)` Special Summoned from Yusei Fudo's hand, both appeared simultaneously. Although Paradox still had a disdainful look, Hayato knew that something big was about to happen.
In Duel Monsters, the act of "storytelling" (extended combo) is arguably like a "trap-heavy strategy" – it's incredibly satisfying for the one playing it, but incredibly frustrating for the one on the receiving end, yet an unavoidable part of the game. When it comes to storytelling, many Decks can pull off a few tricks as long as they aren't too casual, but the most impressive has to be the famous "Junk Doppel."
"Junk Doppel" is short for "Junk Doppel Warrior," and its core board development philosophy revolves around `(Junk Synchron)` and `(Doppelwarrior)` specifically, emphasizing continuous, tide-like board development.
In fact, if someone were bold enough to throw out `(Maxx "C")`, which has the effect "When your opponent Special Summons a monster, draw one card," during a "Junk Doppel" board development, it wouldn't be too difficult to deck out the opponent in one go.
And now, Yusei Fudo was clearly about to give Paradox a good demonstration of "Junk Doppel" storytelling.
"Level 2 `(Doppelwarrior)` and Level 3 `(Junk Synchron)`, Synchro Summon!"
Just like when he Synchro Summoned `(Formula Synchron)` earlier, `(Junk Synchron)` and `(Doppelwarrior)`, chosen by Yusei Fudo, leaped into the air together. `(Junk Synchron)` transformed into three green rings that encircled `(Doppelwarrior)`, transforming it into two shining stars.
Subsequently, the stars exploded into a brilliant pillar of light.
"Gathered stars will awaken new power, become a path shining with light!" Yusei Fudo played a card from his hand. "Synchro Summon! Appear! `(Junk Warrior)`!"
From within the pillar of light, `(Junk Warrior)` made a dazzling entrance, carrying a pair of jet gliders on its back, wearing ice skates on its feet, and a pair of steel knuckles, with its white scarf fluttering in the wind!
[(Junk Warrior)][Level 5/DARK]
[Warrior/Synchro/Effect]
[2300/1300]
"Another annoying Synchro monster. Weak and irritating," Paradox looked disdainfully at Yusei Fudo. "The combined level of monsters on your field is 8, isn't it? It's a bit of a shame, because if your `(Stardust Dragon)` hadn't been taken by me, you could have Summoned `(Stardust Dragon)` this turn, right?"
"But even if you Summon `(Stardust Dragon)`, it is powerless and fragile against the `Malefic` monsters born from the evil of Duel Monsters on my field."
Paradox's sneer subsided, his eyes turning cold: "It is precisely this unrestrained Summoning method of Synchro Summon that destroyed the future. If you insist on protecting the future of Synchro and refuse to let go, then drown yourselves with Synchro!"
(end of chapter)
Chapter 495: Now, I'm the Stronger One!
Listening to Paradox's words, Yusei Fudo retorted, "Paradox, you say the future was destroyed by Synchro?"
"Hmph, that's right," Paradox said, his face cold. "You still don't believe it? It is precisely because of Synchro Summon, a summoning method with the infinite power of a demon that lures people into the Abyss, that the future world will—"
"No, that's not how it is!"
Interrupting Paradox, Yusei Fudo lowered his head and glanced at his right forearm. As if sensing his gaze, a mark on his arm lit up, its gentle, non-glaring red light even shining through the glove Yusei Fudo wore. "Synchro Summoning is a summon that synchronizes heart with heart. It's a power that allows humanity to understand one another."
"Linking one understanding heart after another—that is the true essence of Synchro Summoning!"
"The proof is the mark of the Crimson Dragon on my arm. Even with the gap in time and space, I can still feel the hearts of my companions!" Yusei Fudo's gaze was firm. "I will use the power of Synchro this Turn to transcend and shatter the so-called Malefic monsters on your Field!"
"When (Junk Warrior) is successfully Synchro Summoned, its Attack increases by the total Attack of all Level 2 or lower Monsters on my Field! Then, I Chain the Effect of the Synchro Material (Doppelwarrior)! When it's Sent to the Graveyard as a Synchro Material, I Special Summon two (Doppel Token)s to my Field in Attack Position!"
(Harmonizing Supporter) [Level 1] [100/300]
(Doppel Token) [Level 1] [400/400]
(Doppel Token) [Level 1] [400/400]
(Formula Synchron) [Level 2] [200/1500]
"The total Attack of the Level 2 and lower monsters on my Field is 1100! Therefore, (Junk Warrior)'s Attack increases by 1100!"
(Junk Warrior) [ATK 2300 → 3400]
"How can this be? Just a moment ago, it was a trash monster on the level of (Gaia The Fierce Knight), but in the blink of an eye, it used a bunch of Fodder Monsters to raise its Attack beyond that of a (Blue-Eyes White Dragon)?!"
Paradox hadn't expected that Yusei Fudo's (Junk Warrior), despite looking like a junk collector covered in cobbled-together equipment and items, would possess such an Attack Surge technique. It was as disgusting as stepping on a loose paving stone on a rainy day and getting splashed with sewage!
"It's not over yet! Next is a Synchro Summon using the Level 1 (Harmonizing Supporter), a (Doppel Token), and (Formula Synchron)!" Yusei Fudo played another Card. "Synchro Summon! (Weapon Gauntlet)!"
The formula racer (Formula Synchron) sped up, transforming into two rings that bound the stars formed by (Harmonizing Supporter) and the (Doppel Token). From the pillar of light, a sharp-edged steel gauntlet emerged.
(Weapon Gauntlet) [Level 4 / LIGHT Attribute]
[Machine-Type / Synchro / Effect]
[1800/1200]
"Although the Effect of (Harmonizing Supporter) is negated while it's on the Field after being Special Summoned by (Junk Synchron), its Effect can still be activated as a Synchro Material. I Draw one Card from my Deck."
After drawing a card, Yusei Fudo continued, "Then, once during my Main Phase, I Activate the Effect of (Weapon Gauntlet), equipping it to (Junk Warrior) on my Field as an Equip Card."
"This increases the Attack of the equipped (Junk Warrior) by 1000!"
(Junk Warrior) [ATK 3400 → 4400]
"Alright! With this, (Junk Warrior) has the higher Attack! That's amazing, Yusei Fudo!" Jaden cheered. Yusei Fudo's serious expression relaxed slightly, and he turned to smile at Jaden. "And there's more. I told you, I'm going to shatter all the Malefic Monsters on Paradox's Field."
"I Activate the Continuous Spell Card I just drew, (Domino)! This Card's Effect is that when an Opponent's Monster is Destroyed by Battle and Sent to the Graveyard, I can Send any number of cards from my Field to the Graveyard to Destroy the same number of Monsters on my Opponent's Field."
"What?!" Hearing the Effect of (Domino), Paradox's gaze couldn't help but fall on the last monster on Yusei Fudo's Field besides (Junk Warrior)—the (Doppel Token) Special Summoned by the Effect of (Doppelwarrior). Upon remembering that a (Doppel Token) wasn't a monster but a Token, Paradox breathed a sigh of relief.
Although in most cases, Tokens can be used as monsters—whether as Fusion Material, Tributes for a Summon, or for a Synchro Summon, and can be destroyed by card effects that "Destroy a monster"—they are not normal Monster cards, after all.
The phrase "Send to Graveyard," an action that applies to normal monsters, happens to be one that cannot be used on Tokens. This meant that Yusei Fudo couldn't Activate the Effect of (Domino) by sending the (Doppel Token) to the Graveyard.
Yusei Fudo had already used his Normal Summon this Turn on (Junk Synchron) to start his Combo/Board Development. Paradox figured Yusei Fudo couldn't possibly pull another monster that could be Special Summoned out of thin air, right?
Then, Paradox saw Yusei Fudo reveal a monster Card from his Hand.
(Junk Servant) [Level 4 / Earth Attribute]
[Warrior-Type / Effect]
[1500/1000]
"While a 'Junk' monster is in a Face-up Position on my Field, I can Special Summon (Junk Servant) from my Hand." Yusei Fudo ignored Paradox's ugly expression, Special Summoned the monster, and then waved his hand to command, "Now, I begin my Battle Phase!"
"(Junk Warrior), with 4400 Attack, Attack (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon)!"
"Scrap Fist!!"
Tugging on the (Weapon Gauntlet) on its right fist with its left hand, (Junk Warrior) pushed off on its ice-skate-like feet. In an instant, its body became a phantom, flying forward, leaving only the white afterimage of the long scarf around its neck in Paradox's line of sight.
The next moment, to Paradox's horror, (Junk Warrior) appeared right in front of (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon), its fist ready to fly!
However, remembering that the target of the Attack was (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon), the corner of Paradox's mouth curled into a subtle smile.
Yugi and Yusei Fudo were expectantly waiting for (Junk Warrior)'s Attack to succeed, but Jaden suddenly remembered something he had long forgotten—the Effect held by (Ultimate Crystal God Rainbow Dragon).
The original (Rainbow Dragon) had an Effect: "Send all face-up 'Crystal Beast' monsters on your field to the Graveyard; this card gains 1000 ATK for each monster sent to the Graveyard by this effect." This Effect could also be activated during the opponent's Turn, promoting a counter-attacking effect.
And according to Paradox, if the Malefic monsters inherited the effects of the original monsters, Jaden felt it was highly likely that the Effect of (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon) had been altered somewhat, since his opponent hadn't also taken all of Jesse Anderson's other Crystal Beast cards.
Although he didn't know the specific Effect, the basic logic should still be the same: the ability to Send monsters to the Graveyard and Increase ATK based on the number of monsters sent!
"Yusei Fudo! That (Rainbow Dragon) should have an effect to Increase ATK! You've chosen the wrong Attack Target!"
Jaden called out. He then saw Yusei Fudo turn his head, hesitate for a moment, and then show a "shocked" expression: "What? Then this is bad!"
"To be able to raise your Attack to 4400, you truly are the historically famous Duelist, Yusei Fudo. I must admit your skill in Duel Monsters." Paradox said smugly. "But Malefic is not something you can transcend just by saying so! I Activate the Effect of (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon) during your Turn!"
"I Send all other monsters on my Field except (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon) to the Graveyard! Then, (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon)'s Attack increases by 1000 for each Malefic monster sent to the Graveyard by this effect! This Effect can be activated during the opponent's Turn!"
"Now, I'm the stronger one!"
(Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon) [ATK 4000 → 5000]
At the instant it was about to be struck by (Junk Warrior), the jewels on Paradox's (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon)—once dazzling but now stripped of their brilliance, retaining only their basic colors—all lit up. While they didn't affect the iron fist thrown by (Junk Warrior), they dissolved and shattered the (Malefic Cyber End Dragon) on the other side.
After (Malefic Cyber End Dragon) was shattered, as if having drained the Power from its body, (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon) was enveloped in black lightning. It opened its cavernous maw and lunged viciously to bite (Junk Warrior)!
They had thought that once (Junk Warrior) gathered the power of the other monsters, it could annihilate the monsters on Paradox's Field. But looking at the situation now, it was (Junk Warrior) that was at a disadvantage and about to be destroyed instead!
Paradox smugly wanted to say more, but just then, he caught the look of confidence on Yusei Fudo's face.
"Chaining to the Effect of (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon), I Activate the Effect of (Rush Warrior) from my Hand!" Yusei Fudo revealed a card from his Hand. It was a Level 2 Warrior-Type monster with only 300 Attack.
However, no matter how weak a monster is, when their powers are connected and concentrated, they can unleash unbelievable strength. (Junk Warrior) was the best proof of that.
"During Damage Calculation, when my Warrior-Type Synchro Monster battles an opponent's monster, I can send this (Rush Warrior) from my Hand to the Graveyard to activate its effect." Sending (Rush Warrior) to the Graveyard, Yusei Fudo clenched his right fist. "(Junk Warrior)'s Attack is doubled during that Damage Calculation only!"
"What?!"
Amidst Paradox's expression of disbelief, a (Rush Warrior) appeared on his Field. The moment it appeared, it began to accelerate at full speed. Once it reached its limit, it slammed into the back of (Junk Warrior), providing a boost!
(Junk Warrior) (Weapon Gauntlet) [ATK 4400 → 8800]
With 8800 Attack, (Junk Warrior) met the snapping jaws of (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon) and threw its punch!
BOOM!
"Guh!!!"
The violent blast wave from the explosion of (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon), blown away by the "serious punch," forced Paradox, standing on the Ark Cradle, to lower his center of gravity slightly to avoid being thrown off and falling to his death. At the same time, the massive battle Damage made him cry out in pain instinctively.
[Paradox: 16000 → 12200 LP]
A whopping 3800 points of battle Damage. If it weren't for the fact that Paradox was in a 1 vs. 4 duel and his Life Points were quadrupled, this single blow would have been enough to reduce a normal full 4000 Life Points to a precarious 200.
Paradox endured the pain, trying to see Yusei Fudo through the thick smoke that obscured his vision.
However, through the slightly clearing smoke, he saw that (Junk Warrior), which had just destroyed (Malefic God - Rainbow Dragon), hadn't returned to Yusei Fudo's Field. Instead, it was standing not far in front of him, the sharp knuckles of the (Weapon Gauntlet) on its right hand flexing.
(Junk Warrior) (Weapon Gauntlet) [ATK 8800 → 4400]
"When used as an Equip Card by its Own Effect, (Weapon Gauntlet) has a second effect in addition to increasing Attack," Yusei Fudo's voice passed through the smoke to Paradox's ears. "When the equipped (Junk Warrior) destroys a monster by Battle, inflict Damage to the opponent Duelist equal to the destroyed monster's Attack!"
As Yusei Fudo's voice echoed, (Junk Warrior)'s right hand rose high and then slashed down vertically, clawing viciously at Paradox!
"Ugh!!"
[Paradox: 12200 → 8200 LP]
"Finally, a Direct Attack from (Junk Servant) and the (Doppel Token)!"
"Aargh!!"
[Paradox: 8200 → 7800 → 6300 LP]
"Whoa! It's an effect similar to (Flame Wingman)! You're so strong, Yusei Fudo!" Jaden was ecstatic to see a Synchro Monster from the future with an effect similar to (Flame Wingman). "You cut down his Life Points by nearly ten thousand in a single Turn, that's incredible!"
"The power of gathered strength... Nicely done," Yugi also had high praise for Yusei Fudo's play.
After their attacks, (Junk Servant) and the (Doppel Token) returned to Yusei Fudo's Field. Hearing the praise from Yugi and Jaden, Yusei Fudo, who had been on edge since the duel began, couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief.
Heh, my aim was pretty good, wasn't it.
However, Yusei Fudo noticed that unlike Yugi and Jaden who were celebrating early, Chumley seemed to be staring straight through the smoke at Paradox with a regretful expression on his face.
Noticing Yusei Fudo looking at him, Chumley sighed helplessly. "You were a bit too hasty just now, Yusei Fudo. You should have aimed for his head."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you should have confirmed the exact situation on his Field before attacking," Chumley turned his head. "Didn't that guy say we're Legendary Duelists who have left our names in history? He probably anticipated what cards we would use."
"He likely even calculated your use of (Rush Warrior). He was deliberately luring you into dealing a massive amount of Damage to him in One Turn."
"What!?" Hearing Chumley's words, Yusei Fudo whipped his head back around and saw a string of numbers that completely shocked him—
[Paradox: 25700 LP]
"H-How can that be!"
"That guy's Life Points didn't decrease, they increased?"
While Yugi and Yusei Fudo were bewildered about what had happened, the sharp-eyed Jaden spotted a card that was revealed as the smoke cleared: "That card is—"
"Jesse Anderson's (Rainbow Life)? Why do you have that!"
"The Effect of this Card is to turn all Damage I would take this Turn into Life Points gain. Although it has the restriction of needing to Discard one card from my Hand, it is a necessary Cost."
The smoke cleared, revealing a mocking expression on Paradox's face. "I believe I've said it before. My Deck has gathered the strongest cards from every era."
"This Duel won't end so easily."
(end of chapter)