//------------------------------// // Turn 34. Exodia's Wrath // Story: Yugioh EQG // by Banshee531 //------------------------------// The Survival Duel continues with more and more Duellists being eliminated by the minute. Flash and Applejack were currently Tag-Duelling against the Flim-Flam Brothers, who had just summoned a monster that was supposedly more powerful the Exodia himself...Exodia Necross. (A1800/D0/L4) "You know," Flash said, "for a monster supposedly more powerful the Exodia that thing doesn't look so tough." "Looks can be deceiving," Flim said, "but why don't I just show you that by attacking your Shine Crest Magna Wolf with Exodia Necross." The monster pulled back its fist before letting it rip, sending a punch that was so powerful it seemed to break the sound barrier as it did so. "I don't think so" Applejack said, as her face down flipped up. "With my Power Wall Trap I can redirect your attack towards a stronger monster on the field, like my Orchard Cowboy." Her Xyz monster jumped infront of Magna Wolf and drew its pistols. "Also Power Wall increases his ATK points by two hundred for the turn." (A2300/D600/R3) Orchard Cowboy fired at Exodia Necross, pushing it back as an explosion occurred Flim: 2500 Flash: 2700 Flam: 2500 Applejack: 2000 "So mush for their unbeatable monster" Flash said with a fist pump. "We never said it was unbeatable," Flam said. "Just that it was more powerful then Exodia," Flim said, "and we weren't lying." At that moment the smoke cleared revealing Exodia Necross was still standing. "But how?" Applejack asked, "my Orchard Cowboy should have destroyed it." "It would have" Flim said. "If not for Exodia Necross's Special Ability," Flam said. "Don't tell me" Applejack said in fear. "Didn't you hear us say that Exodia Necross couldn't be destroyed by battle?" Flim said. "I thought they were just exaggerating when they said that," Flash said. "It doesn't matter," Applejack said, "it might be indestructible but with only eighteen hundred ATK points it won't be to difficult to deal damage to." "Is that so?" Flam said. "It is so" she replied. "Then prove it," Flim said, "I'll set a card face down and end my turn." Meanwhile up in the stands Tidal and the gang were looking over the situation their friends were in. "Not good," he said in concern. "What is?" Applebloom asked, worried about her big sister. "Not being destroyed in battle is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Exodia Necross's abilities." "What else can it do?" Scootaloo asked. "Let's just say that that your siblings are going to have a hard time getting rid of it." "Twilight Sorcerer attack Super Vehicroid Jumbo Drill" Twilight ordered, as her magician fired its magic attack at the robotic drill destroying it. Twilight: 2600 Raindrop: 1400 "And now Magician's Valkyria will finish you." Her other Spellcaster fired another blast at the opponent, hitting her and sending her flying back. Twilight: 2600 (Winner) Raindrop: 0 Duellists 28 "Yes" Twilight cheered. Not long after that she continued her trek across the Glacier Zone, until she found herself at a vail that lead to the Volcano Zone. Twilight looked up at the aurora like body, hesitation filling her. There was a good chance she was still there. Sunset Shimmer. Twilight had been feeling uncomfortable about the idea of facing her, seeing how she had completely destroyed Scootaloo and her friends, but knew she'd need to if she wanted any answers about Pendulum cards and the unusual events surrounding them. With one deep breath she stepped through the vail and entered the Zone. "It's my turn," Flash said drawing and looking at his hand, but nothing in it could defeat Exodia Necross. "I'll switch my monsters to DEF mode, set a card face down and end my turn." "Now it's my turn," Flam said drawing, "and it's time for Exodia Necross's ability to activate. Each Standby Phase is ATK points will raise by five hundred." "So each time their turn rolls around that card's going to get even stronger," Flash realised. "That's right," Flam said. (A2300/D0) "Now I think I'll attack your Orchard Cowboy." Exodia Necross threw another punch, this time at the Xyz monster, which struck destroying it. Flim: 2500 Flash: 2700 Flam: 2500 Applejack: 1800 "I activate my Trap card Overlay Recovery," Applejack said. "Now since ma Xyz monster had two Overlay Units attached to it when it was destroyed, I can summon them to the field and increase their levels by one each." The black hole opened once again as two lights shot out of it and landed on Applejack's field, revealing Apple Knight and Sylvan Marshalleaf. (A300/D300/L4), (A1500/D1200/L4) "Don't be celebrating so soon" Flam said, as his face down flipped up. "Limbo, which activates whenever a monster is special summoned. Now one of your monster will be removed from play for three turns." A wormhole opened below Apple Knight as it fell through into nothingness. "I think that's far enough," Flam said. "I'll set a card face down and end my turn." Twilight was trekking through the Volcano Zone but had yet to find anything or anyone. She was currently climbing up a cliff face though the sweat forged from the heat was making it difficult, but eventually she managed to pull herself up and onto the top. "I made it," she said letting out pants after the exhausting amount of effort it took to get up. "Maybe I should have taken Cadance up on all those offers to go to the gym?" "I doubt they would have helped a wuss like you," A voice above her let out. She looked up and saw Sunset Shimmer standing not to far off, across a wide river of lava. "Sunset Shimmer," she said getting up. "Twilight Sparkle," Sunset replied with an evil smirk. "It's ma draw," Applejack said drawing. "I summon Red Apple Golem in ATK mode," she said as a giant red apple appeared with eyes, a mouth, legs and arms. (A1300/D1500/L4) "And with its ability I can add Green Apple Golem from my deck to my hand when it's summoned," her deck shuffled out a card which she took. "And now with these two monsters," Red Apple Golem and Sylvan Marshalleaf glowed before shooting into the air and into the black hole, "I build the Overlay Network. He who watches over all growth, lend us your protection." The black hole burst in an explosion of light, "I XYZ SUMMON!" The light faded revealing Applejack's new monster. It was a bulky man covered in a green plant styled cloak that hid almost his entire body. The only thing on display were his arms, which were covered in a metal gauntlets with metallic oval shaped instruments connected to them. The figure placed those instruments together and formed and they linked, making an apple shaped shield with a red crystal orb at its centre which it hid behind. A pair of orange lights floated around his. "Orchard Defender." (A1400/D2600/R4) "Playing defensive aye?" Flim asked. "A clear sigh of fear," Flam agreed. Applejack growled hearing this. "Don't think just because I summoned a monster in DEF mode, I'm giving up on beating you guys." "Oh where have I heard that before?" Flim asked sarcastically. "I believe it was from every second rate Duellist we've ever beaten brother," Flam replied. "Then I'll let my cards do the talking," Applejack said as she ended her turn. "My turn," Flim said drawing, "and once again Exodia Necross's ATK points will increase." (A2800/D0/L4) "Next I'll activate my face down Spell card Stop Defence, which will force a monster from DEF mode to ATK mode." Flash flinched seeing his Magna Wolf stand up into ATK mode. "Now Exodia Necross attack Shine Crest Magna Wolf," Flim ordered as his monster fired its super powered punch towards the wolf "I activate Orchard Defender's ability," Applejack said, "by removing an Overlay Unit while he's in DEF mode I can negate your Exodia Necross's attack." One of the Overlay Units flew into the crystal orb in the centre of the Xyz monsters apple shaped shield, as it jumped infront of Magna Wolf ready to intercept the attack. "I think not" Flam said, "as I activate the effect of Breakthrough Skill in the graveyard. By banishing it we can negate your monsters ability "Crud," Applejack said as her monster suddenly froze, allowing Exodia Necross to get around it. It re-targeted Shine Crest Magna Wolf and continued its attack, which struck the wolf and destroyed it. Flash felt his feet leave the ground as he was pushed away by the force of the attack, and sent hurtling onto his back. Flim: 2500 Flash: 1100 Flam: 2500 Applejack: 1800 "You okay?" Applejack called back to him. "Peachy" Flash replied pulling himself back up. "I'll end my turn there," Flim said. "Sorry Flash," Applejack said, "I couldn't help you protect your life points." "It's fine AJ" Flash replied, "at least you tried but these guys are just really good." "They know how to work together that's for sure," Applejack replied. "I'm just wondering if the others are doing any better?" Flash asked. Meanwhile in the Forest Zone Rainbow was in a Duel against a girl named Cloudchaser. Rainbow: 600 Cloudchaser: 200 "I summon Rainbow Wing Orange Osprey," her orange bird of prey appeared on the field. (A1200/D1000/L3) "Orange Osprey attack her directly and end this Duel." Her Rainbow Wing flew up and then sky dropped towards the girl. "I activate my Trap," Cloudchaser said as her only face down flipped up, "Magic Cylinder. Now your monsters ATK points will be dealt to you as damage." "NO WAY!" Rainbow screamed as a pair of tubes appeared and Rainbow's monster flew into one, before shooting out the other and flew straight at Rainbow striking her in the chest. Rainbow: 0 Cloudchaser: 200 (Winner) Duellists: 21 Celestia: And Rainbow Dash is eliminated. Luna: She did well but she just took to much damage in the long run. "I was so close" Rainbow said looking heartbroken. Back in the Volcano Zone Sunset and Twilight were staring each other down. "Before when you said a friend told you about me," Twilight said, "that was Cold Steel wasn't it." Sunset smiled hearing this. "I guess the rumours about you being some brain box were true, but I guess seeing me Pendulum Summon helped your deduction." "What do you know about Pendulum Cards?" Twilight asked, "and what does Cold Steel intend to use them for." "Now where's the fun in me simply telling you?" Sunset asked. Twilight frowned before throwing up her Duel Disk, "I'll just have to force some answers out of you." "You can try," Sunset replied, holding up her own Duel Disk. Celestia: Twilight Sparkle vs Sunset Shimmer, Duel...start. Twilight: 2600 Sunset: 3800 Spike started fidgeting seeing his sister about to Duel the girl who had destroyed Scootaloo and her friends, the three of which were cheering Twilight on. "Go get her Twilight," Scootaloo yelled hoping she'd hear her. "Avenge us," Sweetie agreed. "Just be careful," Applebloom said, "her Solar Flare Phoenix will be tricky to win against." "Indeed she'll have a hard time winning against that ability," Rarity said. "But it only works if the monster is Special Summoned while her life points are below two thousand," Tidal said, "so it's not completely hopeless." "I'll take the first move" Twilight said drawing, "I summon Flame Burst Magician in ATK mode." The flaming clothed wizard appeared. (A1300/D600/L3) "And when Flame Burst Magician is summoned, I can inflict eight hundred points of damage to you." The wizard shot a fireball at Sunset hitting her in the chest. Twilight: 2600 Sunset: 3000 "I end my turn with a face down." "My turn," Sunset said, "I draw and right away I'll set the Pendulum Scale with scale two Radiant Sun Knight Scarmick and scale four Radiant Sun Knight Slashim." The pillars of light appeared besides her as to her right, a man appeared wearing knight armour and carrying a spinning wheel blade with holes covering its outer side where flames shot out with a two appearing below him. To her left was another knight appeared carrying a giant flaming sword, a four appearing below him. "Now watch as my monsters burn through space time and blaze the arc of victory," she said as her knight fired ropes of fire which connected and forged a portal above her. "I can now summon multiple level three monsters all at the same time!" Sunset explained. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened and two beams of light shot out and hit the ground. The first became a familiar tiger "unsheathe your claws, Blaze Fang Sun Tiger." (A1200/D1100/L3) The second was a teen boy in knights armour with a giant gauntlet on his right fist, which suddenly caught fire. "Sock it to them, Radiant Sun Knight Flame Fist" (A1300/D500/L3) "Neither of them will hurt my Flame Burst Magician," Twilight told her. "Maybe not," Sunset said, "but once I Overlay them." Her two monster glowed and shot into the air, before flying into a black hole as it opened. "Two flames, burn together as one." The black hole burst in an explosion of light, "I XYZ SUMMON!" The light fade revealing Sunset's new monster. It was another man in knights armour, riding a horse with a flaming mane and carrying a sword that was on fire. Two red light floated around him. "Radiant Sun Knight Gallantine." (A2000/D1000/R3) Twilight gulped seeing the Xyz monster. "I wonder if the others are doing any better?" "It's my turn," Flash said, "I draw." He looked at his hand and saw he'd drawn Double Strike, which was useless against the Flim-Flam Brothers ever strengthening monster. If only he still had Flash Heart Dragon, then he could send Exodia Necross to the bottom of their deck but now. "I'll place a card face down and end my turn." "Then It's my turn," Flam said drawing as there monster once again powered up. (A3300/D0/L4) "Next I'll play Pot of Greed to draw two new cards," he drew and smiled at what he got. "Next I'll play Ookazi to deal eight hundred points of damage to you Ms Apple." The ground beneath Applejack's feet exploded, bathing her in fire. Flim: 2500 Flash: 1100 Flam: 2500 Applejack: 1000 Applejack fell to her knees as her life points lowered. "Next I'll equip Exodia Necross with the Spell card Mage Power, which will raise its ATK points by five hundred for each card in our Spell and Trap card zone and with itself, Limbo and Tag-Force that's fifteen hundred points. (A4800/D0/L4) "Now he'll attack your Orchard Defender." The monster threw another punch. "I activate Orchard Defender's ability," Applejack said as the final Overlay Unit was removed, "now I can negate your monsters attack." The Xyz monster raised its shield and managed to repel the attack. "Your only delaying the inevitable," Flam said ending his turn with a face down. "We'll see," Applejack said drawing. "It's three turns after your Limbo activated, so its now gone and my Apple Knight now returns." The knight appeared on her field, its level still increased by the effect of Overlay Recovery. (A300/D300/L3) "Plus with one less card your Necross is down a few points." (A4300/D0/L4) "I'll switch it to DEF mode and end my turn with a face down." "My draw," Flim said as Exodia Necross powered up again. (A4800/D0/L4) " I'll start by playing my own Pot of Greed to draw two card," he did so and smiled, "next I'll play the Spell card Pillager. Now I can take a look at your hands and then swipe a card." "Oh no" Flash said knowing what card Flim would likely pick. He and Applejack showed their hands as Flim looked through them, before smiling and pointing at. "Double Strike, hand it over." Flash growled but threw the card at Flim, who caught it. "Here brother" Flam said as his face down flipped up, "my Raigeki Break should be useful. I'll discard a card and destroy the girls Orchard Defender." A lightning bolt shot down and struck the Xyz monster destroying it. "Thanks brother," Flim said, "it'll really help with this Spell card Zero Defence. "This Continuous Spell changes every monster in to ATK mode." "WHAT?" the teens said, as their monsters both stood up. "What's more whenever a monster on our side of the field destroys a monster, that monster DEF points are dealt to you." "Not good," Flash said, "Exodia Necross attack Apple Knight," Flim ordered as his monster threw a punch. "I activate my Trap," Applejack said, "Scrap-Iron Scarecrow. Now I can negate your attack," a scarecrow made out of metal objects appeared and intercepted the attack. "And I can reset this Trap to use again next turn." "Yes next turn," Flim said, "but you've got another attack coming." He placed a card in his Duel Disk, "I activate Double Strike. By lowering my monster ATK points it can attack again. (A3800/D0/L4) Exodia Necross threw another punch at Apple Knight. "If this attack lands Applejack will be out," Rarity said in horror. "Applejack!" Applebloom called out. "I activate my Trap card," Flash said as one of his face downs flipped up, "Interception. This Trap lets a stronger monster take the hit for Apple Knight." Flash Knight leaped infront of Apple Knight and was hit by the attack, getting destroyed. "All you did was sacrifice yourself boy," Flam said. "Wrong," Flash replied, "because my other Trap will save me." His second face down flipped up revealing, "Defence Draw. My life points are safe and I can draw a card," Flash explained drawing his card and seeing he got Lightspeed. "Well don't forget that since our monster destroyed yours," Flim said. "Zero Defence will deal you damage equal to its DEF points," Flam said. Flim: 2500 Flash: 500 Flam: 2500 Applejack: 400 "I'll end my turn," Flim said as his monsters ATK returned to normal. (A4800/D0/L4) "Thanks Flash," Applejack said, "I would have been out without your help." "Don't mention it," Flash replied, "but I doubt we'll be able to pull it off again next turn." "Meaning this is our last chase to win," she agreed turning to him. "You can do it." "I'm not sure," Flash said, "without Flash Heart-" "Is that why you've been acting so indecisive?" Applejack asked, she had noticed Flash being hesitant the last few turns. "Of course," he replied, "without Flash Heart I can't pull of any of my best combos." As if to prove his point, Flash drew and saw it was Magna Mechanic Kuda. If he had Flash Heart he might have been able to summon Accel but- "Who cares if you don't have Flash Heart!" Applejack called to him. "So you've lost your best card, so did I" she pointed at her Duel Disk reminding him that Orchard Cowboy and Defender had been destroyed. "You know your problem Flash? It's that you've had that card in your winning image for so long that it's impossible for you to think you can win without it." "That's not true," Flash said. "Then prove it," Applejack said, "win this without him." Flash turned back to Exodia Necross, and felt fear run through him. Without Flash Heart...no he wasn't dependent on that one card. It might be his best card, but he didn't need it to win. He would show them. Suddenly his Extra Deck shot open as a light burst out coming from one of the cards. Flash removed the glowing card, finding it to be one of the Synchro cards he'd gotten from Tidal. Suddenly the card was completely enveloped by the light, which quickly vanished revealing a new Synchro Monster. "Again?" Flash said, reading the card he frowned. After all that it couldn't defeat Exodia Necross...unless. Flash looked back at the field and the Flim-Flam Brother's stratagy, and realised there was a gaping flaw in it which this new card could help him exploit. Turning to Applejack he smiled, "I got an idea. But I'll need your help." Applejack smiled back. "My cards are your cards." He nodded and looked back to the Flim-Flam Brothers. "It's my turn and I summon Magna Mechanic Kuda," the Pendulum Monster appeared on the field swinging its spanner around. (A1400/D700/L3/P2) "What can that card do?" Flim asked. "What it can do," Flash replied, "is tune itself to Applejack's Apple Knight." Kuda glowed and changed into three balls of light that flew up and then carved three circles of light, which Apple Knight leapt into. "With skills born through work and dedication, raise your sword for battle," the monsters disappeared in a burst of light. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!" "He's using the cards Tidal gave him," Scootaloo said "But they were blank?" Tidal asked. "Not anymore," Rarity said as they watched the light fade, revealing Flash's new monster. It was a tall man whose entire body was inside a set of gunmetal robotic steampunk armour, leaving only his head visible with a device covering his right eye reminding a few older watchers of a Duel Gazer. From his arms a pair of four foot blades shot out which it swung around creating a gust of wind as it did so. "Magna Champion, Assault Striker." (A2500/D2100/L7) "Nice move and all," Flam said. "But against our Exodia Necross it won't stand a chance," Flim finished. "Say that again after I activate Assault Striker's ability," Flash said. "Once per turn I can discard a card from my hand and destroy a card on the field that's the same type as the card I discarded." "Did you forget that Exodia Necross is immune to destruction from Card Effects?" Flam asked. "Actually I didn't," Flash said, "which is why I'm discarding Lightspeed, a Spell card." "Spell card?" the Flim-Flam Brothers asked in confusion. "You see I noticed a hole in your stratagy," Flash said, "the only reason you managed to get Exodia Necross out is because you both sent parts of Exodia to the graveyard. Since your sharing a graveyard your able to do this, but what if you weren't sharing a graveyard?" The Flim-Flam Brother's eyes grew wide and turned to their Spell, Tag-Force. "Magna Champion Assault Striker destroy Tag-Force and Exodia Necross along with it." Assault Striker's shoulder pads opened revealing a pair of lazor blasters which aimed at the Spell card, before firing a blast which destroyed Tag-Force. "But without that card," Flim said as he and his brother looked up at their monster. Cracks began to travel across the monsters body, some joining up causing pieces to fall off and disintegrate. "NO!" they both yelled as Exodia Necross finally turned to dust and disappeared. "Oh and did I forget to mention that when Assault Striker uses this effect, it can attack twice a turn?" Flash asked coyly. "Two attacks!" they said together. "Magna Champion Assault Striker attack," Flash ordered as his Synchro Monster launched itself at Flim. Assault Striker raised one of its blades and slashed down his chest. Flim: 0 Flash: 500 Flam: 2500 Applejack: 400 Duellists: 16 The Synchro Monster then turned to Flam raising its other blade, slashing him as well. Flim: 0 Flash: 500 (Winner) Flam: 0 Applejack: 400 (Winner) Duellists: 15 Celestia: The winners are Flash Sentry and Applejack. Luna: They came from behind and managed to defeat a pair of Tag-Duel masters. "Alright!" the teens said, high fiving. "Great work Flash," Applejack said. "I couldn't have pulled it off without you," Flash replied, "thanks for being honest with me about Flash Heart." "Awe shucks," Applejack replied with a tip of the hat. "It's fine having a monster you like using more then others, but like I said you can't relay on it in every Duel." "I get that now," Flash said. "So what now?" Applejack asked. "I need to get to the Volcano Zone," Flash said, "there's someone there I need to talk to." "Who?" she asked. "The one who knocked Scoot and her friends out of the tournament." "You mean Applebloom's out?" "You didn't see?" Flash asked, getting a shake of the head in return, "some girl named Sunset Shimmer Duelled them three on one and knocked them out using Pendulum cards." "Pendulum cards?" Applejack asked, "then we'd better find her then. You can ask her about the cards and I can get revenge for Applebloom." "Right," Flash replied, "I need to avenge Scootaloo too." "Then let's go," Applejack said as the two ran through the Canyon Zone towards the last few rounds of the tournament. Fifteen Duellists remained, and that total wouldn't remain for long. But who will be the last one standing?