//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: The New Kid in Town (By Lloyd Shamrock) // Story: The Missing Barian Numbers // by Golden Flare //------------------------------// 3 Days Ago... I used to be loved...by my friends...I helped them with their problems...and then...all that I cared about...it was all gone. People hated me because of that one incident...now that I think back on it...it took place...in Equestria...and then Canterlot High...I was running, being chased by the Royal Guard in Canterlot, Equestria's capital...I had friends to help me out, but they were all captured... "There! Over there! Do not let him get away!" With heavy breaths, I burst through a pair of double doors and took notice of the mirror in the center of the room...I touched it...and felt a shimmer of magic from it... "He's in the Throne Room! We've got him now!" I pulled a pen and paper and wrote a little something that they would recognize me by... "Might as well do it with style..." With that, I placed it on the rim of the mirror and hopped through, leaving everything I'd known behind just as the guard slammed the doors open...they charged in to pursue me, but the mirror once again became solid...after that, it took them a while to notice my little calling card: a downwards-pointed sword with a ghostly aura surrounding it...that day, I was dubbed... ..."The Phantom Swordsman". Present Day Canterlot City - Suburban District //I'm standing here, within the Suburban District, where a student of the local school, Canterlot High, has been found in between the rental buildings, beaten and his left arm broken, as authorities try to load him into the ambulance for surgery at Canterlot General Hospital...hold on, I've just gotten word that the victim has been identified as Flash Sentry, whose mother is greatly renowned by the community as a generous donor to many charities.// The news had been abuzz with the on-scene anchor explaining what exactly had happened last night in town as the Rainbooms and Golden were at the latter's home watching with horrid interest. "Jeez...shit's getting crazier around here." Golden muttered. "Goldie! Language!" Pinkie scolded. "Eh, sorry, force of habit." "But yeah, he's got a point," Rainbow agreed, "Things around Canterlot are starting to get crazy." "Quite. I do hope none of it happens around the shop I run for Prim Hemline." Rarity added. "Yeah..." Sunset said, unsure. "Somethin' wrong, sugar cube?" Applejack asked her. "It's just that...maybe we should visit Flash in the hospital. If this is what I hope it isn't, then we may need to track this guy down." Golden nodded, "Yeah. I was thinking the same thing. Let's head there after school today." "Uh-huh!" the girls all agreed. Unbeknownst to the group, the perpetrator was leaning against the house near a window, nonchalantly reading a book as he overheard the entire conversation. Frustrated, he slammed his book quite harshly as a memory of his flowed back into the forefront of his mind... 6 Months Ago... Canterlot High School - Alternative Dimension Rainbow Dash...what you did...along with everyone else...I will NEVER forgive you...ANY one of you...I wanted to believe that you were still friends with her...if you were, we would've gone out together with your friends...for burgers, milkshakes, and fries as well...but you just HAD to forget about her... Present Day Canterlot High School - Front Entrance The unknown perpetrator had been following the group up until he reached the horse statue when got a call, he hurriedly hid and picked it up. "It's me, go ahead." //I'm guessing you're walking down Memory Lane pretty well.// "Yeah, it's great seeing everyone again." he answered sarcastically. //A few days ago, I ran up something on a "Trixie Lulamoon".// "And...?" //It's been reported that she was in possession of a Barian Number...well, before it was won from her.// "By who?" //We don't know, but I have my best people looking into it as we speak.// "Alright." //But what I DO know, she was talking to the Rainbooms after she was freed from its control.// "Alright. Keep me updated." the figure said just as Rainbow walked past him, angering him, "Just...give me a minute to take care of a certain...problem. I'll be in touch." //...Just don't rough her up TOO bad.// the person on the call said, knowing all too well what he meant. Click The call disconnected. The perp took a great deep breath...and his malicious smile returned, "Dash...your soul will be sweet...perhaps the sweetest I've ever tasted." Later, After School... Canterlot General Hospital - Intensive Care Unit Once school let out, the Golden and the Rainbooms headed straight for the local hospital to get Flash's side of the story regarding what happened to him. They arrived at the front desk where the assistant was. "Can I help you?" she asked. "We were wondering if we could see Flash Sentry?" Sunset asked back in response. "Affiliation?" "We're his friends." "Well, you're in luck, he just came out of surgery and the detectives had already left after interrogating him, you may see him in the ICU, but please don't overwhelm him, his arm may've been temporarily fixed, but we're still unsure if the damage done is permanent or not." "Thank you." "ICU Room 871." The group proceeded through the halls and finally found the aforementioned room and knocked. "Flash? It's us, the Rainbooms...and Golden. Can we come in?" "Sure." he said from the other side of the door. The group walked in and saw a pitiful sight; Flash Sentry, one of the best musicians and Duelists in the school, has his left arm in a cast and an armbrace with stitches slightly revealed on the center of his muscle. "Whoa..." Rainbow said, "Dude, what the hell happened to you?" "Well..." Flash began to tell his tale as he remembered exactly what happened to him... Last Night... Canterlot City - Suburban District Flash's POV I stood in front of this weird guy when he gave me an unsettling smile, "Flash Sentry..." he began, "do you wanna play a game?" "Uh...what kinda game?" I asked. "It's a game called 'Boink!': you have to guess my favorite number, and if you guess wrong, you get a penalty." "Okay, uhh...5-3-9?" "BOINK!" SNAP The guy just rushed forward and broke my arm! "AHHHHH!! Why the hell did you do that?!" I demanded to know. He leaned closer to my ear, "...Why not?" he asks as if it was normal. I quickly got away from him and tried to put my Duel Disk on my other arm, "If you want a Duel, then bring it--" The guy swiftly closed the distance between us and stared into my soul, "What're you doing?" he then swung his fist outward and pretty much sucker punched me into the wall! "For THAT little stunt...you get a penalty." "I thought my ARM was the penalty!" "I already gave you ONE penalty...why not TWO?!" STOMP! "AHHHHHHH!!!" I screamed as the jackass practically crushed my pelvis with his foot. "Remember these words, BRAD...you stay away from my girl...or you'll get THREE penalties." "What girl?!" SHING I heard the telltale sound of a sword being drawn before feeling a massive, sharp pain in my broken left arm. "AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!" The moment I finally stopped screaming in pain, I saw that he was long gone as a pool of blood formed underneath me from my broken, stabbed left arm... Present Day Canterlot General Hospital - ICU Room 871 3rd Person POV Needless to say, everyone was shocked at what this...monster had done to Flash; broken his arm, almost crush his pelvis area, AND stabbed him in his left arm's muscle?! "How...How cruel..." Fluttershy whimpered. "How could...why would..." Sunset had trouble comprehending the situation. Golden, however was silent, clenching his right hand into a fist in anger. Before anyone else could say anything further, the TV blared with a breaking news report. //I'm standing here at the Canterlot Dueling Museum, where a criminal was just caught trying to steal a deck that once belonged to the legendary King of Games, Yugi Moto, but was stopped and apprehended by a new detective that has just arrived in town just yesterday.// a strange looking man stepped in front of the camera, //Excuse me, sir, how exactly did you manage to stop such a crime?// //Well, given to my intelligence, I used my "Elemental HERO" Deck to stop him, because it reminded me of justice.// //So am I correct to assume that you challenged him to a Duel?// //Be that as it may, when it comes to challenging people, I don't lose.// //Would it be too much to ask for your name, sir?// //Not at all. To prove people will be safe in their homes, my name is Enix. And I swear, I will not rest until all criminals are apprehended. Hope none of you troll me online.// //Thank you, Mr. Enix. Back to you, Jerry.// //Thanks, John. Coming up next: Homosexual Duelists, do they deserve equal rights? And will marriage be next? More at 5.// As the news went back to the anchor at the news station, we all began to process this new information. "That's weird...why would somebody try to steal Yugi's Deck? The security in that museum's crazy tight. What do you think, Flash? ...Flash?" Golden asked. They all turned around to see a horrified faced Flash Sentry pointing at the TV and having a panic attack as his heart monitor went sporadic, indicating that his heart rate was increasing rapidly. Doctors and nurses rushed in hearing the monitor go off while one of the nurses ushered us out, confusing us greatly. "That was odd..." Sunset voiced what we were all thinking, "Why did Flash freak out like that?" "I don't know..." Golden began before looking determined, "...But I have a hunch." "What is it?" Rainbow asked him. "I...can't confirm anything yet. Let's reconvene tomorrow at school, once I have some more proof to go off of." The girls nodded and voiced their reasons for heading off as Golden headed home as well, with an unsettling feeling in his gut that refused to go away. Canterlot High School - Soccer Field As Rainbow was on her way home, she got a group text from a guy named Norman, who included Scootaloo and Bulk Biceps, if they could practice soccer before heading home for the evening. Needless to say, Rainbow couldn't refuse an offer like that, so she replied her confirmation and made her way to the CHS soccer field, where for the past few hours, they all practiced their soccer skills if the Friendship Games had a soccer portion. But what they didn't know was that someone was watching them the whole time they were practicing. "I'm impressed," the figure said as Rainbow scored yet another goal, "no wonder they call her the Captain of every sports team in Canterlot High...hmph, I'll teach them the difference between MY world and THEIRS." he put on a tinted googles and a black face mask, and charged forward as Rainbow was cheering for her victory, then Scootaloo, without any warning had a fist jammed firmly into her gut, "For starters...magical strength never hurt people like that in THIS world." Scootaloo slumped to the ground in pain as the hidden figure assaulted Norman and Bulk to the point that they were completely unconscious, despite Bulk's obvious physical prowess. "HEY! That's so not cool!" Rainbow shouted before charging at him herself, but completely unable to land a blow. "C'mon, don't be like that." he taunted as he dodged every attack Rainbow sent his way, then gripped her right arm and pinned her and a sort of hold, "Now then, let's have some fun, Dashie." green and purple LED lights lit up all around his body and proceeded to break Rainbow's arm, making her screech to the heavens in agony before calling him a "Coward", "A coward, am I?" 6 Months Ago Canterlot High School - Alternative Dimension ??? POV "Where are you all going?! You KNOW she's your friend!" Applejack glared at him, "NOW Ah've heard everythang!" They continued to leave until I blocked their path, "I'm NOT leaving until you apologize to her!" Rainbow suddenly got pissed and punched me, and threw me towards the lockers, "Let me get this through your THICK HEAD: we. Were. NEVER. FRIENDS! You're just a coward dwelling on the past! If you think she's your FRIEND, go back to serving her!" "Yeah! What she said!" Pinkie agreed before leaving with the others. I struggled to get up, holding out my hand as if I was reaching out to stop them from leaving, "We...were..." my strength finally left me as I fell back to the floor, "...friends..." was the last thing I said before my tears started to flow... Present Day Canterlot High School - Soccer Field 3rd Person POV As Rainbow was roughly thrown onto the grass, the figure grabbed her Duel Disk out of her backpack and attached to her unbroken arm, "Here, you dropped this." he picked her up and held her tight, as if he was forcing her to watch something happen, and soon enough something did: he pulled out three card from a secret compartment in his jacket as the automated voice spoke, //Augmented Reality Vision Link established.// "And now, keep your eyes...on your fate!" he played the three cards he pulled out and revealed themselves to be three known Destiny HERO monsters, Dreadmaster, Plasma, and Dogma, but they were acting different than original holograms, they looked as though they were stalking towards Rainbow, like she was their prey as she watched in horror at what was happening, You weren't friends with her... he thought to himself, I REJECT YOUR FRIENDSHIP. Then, without warning... Before Rainbow could properly scream... ...The monsters attacked. YOUR SOUL WAS CLAIMED...BY THE PHANTOM SWORDSMAN. After the attacks were finally over, the figure left behind his calling card, but said something he left, "You know, I've always hated female jocks." he gave a slight wave as he turned around and left Rainbow and her friends to sleep until somebody found them and called 911 for help... (stop music) The Next Day... Canterlot High School - Cafeteria //Good morning viewers, I'm Jerry. Our top story today: the citizens of Canterlot City are now terrified as the unknown assailant has struck again; his newest victim was Canterlot High School's own Rainbow Dash, one of their best athletes. Not much is known about this assailant...until today. Forensics reported to have found this calling card at the scene of the crime.// an image of the aforementioned card appeared next to the newscaster: a downwards-pointed sword with a ghostly aura surrounding it, //As well as video footage taken by security camera near the school.// the next was a video showing exactly what had happened at the soccer field last night to Rainbow and everyone else, //The police are doing everything they can to catch this individual, but so far he has alluded nearly everyone. The mayor has taken up a press conference to make a statement on what to do about this person. We will be going live in ten minutes, but for now, we at Canterlot News 9 highly advise staying indoors and locking everything up at night. We'll be back after these brief messages.// Horror was evident on the Rainbooms faces, even the students' and especially Golden's; one of their own was just targeted by this monster, but they were lucky that Rainbow merely received broken bones instead of a stab wound like Flash. Soon though, Golden clenched his fists and grit his teeth in anger before roughly standing out of his seat. "That's it. Enough is enough! Attacking Flash was one thing, but targeting Rainbow, Bulk, Norman, and even Scootaloo is another!" Golden angrily declared before stomping out of the cafeteria, his friends close by. "Where are you going, Goldie?" Pinkie asked. "To hell with education, I'm going to talk to Rainbow RIGHT NOW." he answered. "But why, darling?" Rarity asked, confused. "..." Golden slowly turned around, "...If my hunch is right, I may know who it is, but I need to confirm it with Rainbow Dash." "But...why can't we just wait until school lets out?" Sunset asked. Golden took a deep breath, "...Because if I did, then that bastard will set his sights on someone else before long." he then went back to storming out of the school building, "I'm not waiting." The Rainbooms just watched him go before looking at each other in great worry... Canterlot General Hospital - Front Entrance Golden walked out of the hospital after talking to Rainbow, satisfied with the info he gathered, "If everything she said is true..." "I couldn't see his face, but I knew his voice; it was the same guy who stopped that museum robbery on the news!" "...Then the culprit is none other than Enix." Golden didn't know why he would target Flash and Rainbow specifically AND for some reason stop a robbery, but he did know one thing: He had to be stopped before someone else gets hurt. But how would Golden go about finding him? He began to brainstorm as he made his way home, since school had already let out by the time he finished interrogating Rainbow, and just then, it hit him: if he can't go find Enix... ...Then he'll make him come to Golden. Canterlot High School - Rooftop It was late at night when Golden got into the school, climbed up the stairs, and made his way onto the school's rooftop, waiting for a certain...character. He baited Enix with a little something that Golden doubted he could pass up, before long, he heard footsteps and saw Enix himself just outside the building. He seemed to give a deep sigh as he stared into the starry sky, "My friends...we were supposed to follow the plan..." he slammed his fist on the railing, "If it weren't for that ambush..." 4 Days Ago... Canterlot City - Suburban District: Apartment Complex Enix's POV I was sipping water from my glass when my neighbor showed up by the window, "Excuse me, neighbor? A couple of people are here with me, said they wanted to talk to you." "Send them in please." Enix answered. Two guys walked into the apartment, one of them Enix knew all too well; he had orange feathered hair, deep blue eyes, and pale skin, wearing black t-shirt, dark blue denim pants, and black dress shoes, as he took his seat, he was munching on a candy cane, this was Enix's ally, Kuro Pepāminto. The other guy was someone Enix didn't recognize; he had green hair with blue highlights, crimson red eyes, and pale skin similar to Kuro's, wearing a black and white business suit and shades, all in all, he appeared to be some sort of bodyguard. As the newcomer and Enix took their seats with Kuro, their chat began. "Mister..." the newcomer pulled out a card and read it aloud, "...'XXgale34XX', obviously a username, my name is Jisatsu Benedict, and we'd like to borrow your services and expertise for a top-secret mission." "What is the nature of this mission?" Enix asked. "For you to retrieve an artifact in the capital of Canterlot beyond the mirror portal that allows the user to travel between dimensions." "I'm not familiar with it." "It's called the 'Reflector Device', it's been said to have the power to, not only travel through dimensions, but also to other points in time within those dimensions. To put it bluntly, it's a device that transcends time and space." "A device that transcends time and space? That's hard to believe." "Yes, well...it's been verified. With that device, one could shape the fates of other worlds, even the people, ESPECIALLY the people. That device could threaten our way of life and our world's history as we know it. Needless to say, we would like to keep that from happening." "Understandable. Please go on, what are the specifics of this mission?" "There's an area within the castle, a forbidden archive hidden from any prying eyes. We need you to infiltrate the castle, steal the artifact, and bring it back." "So you want me to infiltrate Canterlot Castle, the main princess's domain?" "We have a contact inside the castle, they'll be sure to leave the window open for you on the day. Use whatever methods you want, just keep in mind this is off-the-books, you won't get any support from us if you get caught." "...Alright then, I'll assemble a team and lead this mission myself." That plan...was gonna change everything, to clear my name... ...At least, so I thought. Present Day Canterlot High School - Rooftop 3rd Person POV As he was reminiscing, Enix had finally found himself on the building's roof and waiting for him was, quite obviously, Golden Flare, who had a stoic expression upon his face. "Okay I'm here, what did you want?" Enix asked. "I have information on the guy who was attacking my friends and fellow students." Golden answered. "Okay, and...?" "I have a theory on who it is, but to prove it..." Golden pulled out his Duel Pad, "...I need to Duel you." "...Uh, dipstick, you sure you wanna do this?" "Nope, but screw it." "Fine, but let's up the stakes: if I win, we walk away and forget this ever happened." "Then if I win, you tell me the truth about what's going on; the attacks, everything." "You might not like the answer." "I don't care, people are getting hurt." He shrugs, "...Fair enough. I could use the fun and entertainment." Golden grit his teeth and activated his Duel Pad and Duel Gazer. Enix simply stopped him from proceeding, confusing him as Enix pulled out his smartphone and played a piece of music. "Uhh--" "I start all my Duels with this song, don't judge me." Enix answered the unspoken question. Then, he pulled two swords out of his back, connected them together, and merged them with a rather unique Duel Disk. "Fancy." Golden commented. Enix didn't respond, he just put on his Duel Gazer, which unfolded from the back of his head and closed around both of his eyes. //Augmented Reality Vision Link established.// "Let's Duel!" they both shouted. Golden Flare - 4,000 LP Enix - 4,000 LP Turn 1: Enix - Hand: 5 "This power I hold could change everything. I draw!" Enix said as he drew, "First, I set the Pendulum Scale with Scale 1 Dragonpulse Magician and Scale 9 Kuro-Obi Karate Spirit! It's time to take control of the show!" two blue pillars appeared on either side of Enix, revealing the monsters he placed as they rose up and displayed two glowing numbers (Pendulum Scale: 1-9), "Now I'm allowed to summon monsters from level 2 through 8 all at the same time! As someone once said, 'my monsters are ready to swing into action'! Turn up the heat, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Rise up my Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves and Silent Boots!" a strange dragon with two different eye color appeared first and foremost (2500/2000), then a sort of spirit rose from the ground wearing a giant pair of ghostly gloves (1000/500), and lastly, another spirit rose wearing a pair of rather quiet-sounding boots (200/1200). "I've never this kind of summoning method before!" Golden exclaimed, then thought, Are these those Pendulum Monsters I heard in those rumors? I thought they were a myth, but... "You're thinking these card are fake, aren't you? Wrong; they're all too real. And these Phantom Knights cards won't be here for long. 'Cause I'm using them to build the Overlay Network!" the two spirits turned into purple lights before flying into a normal red portal, "I Xyz Summon, The Phantom Knights of Break Sword!" The portal exploded and revealed a mechanical horse with an armored warrior riding it, whom of which had blue flames where its head and certain parts of its arms should be and wielding a rather massive sword. The Phantom Knights of Break Sword Attribute: DARK Rank: 3 Type: Warrior/Xyz/Effect ATK: 2000 DEF: 1000 Effect: 2 Level 3 monsters Once per turn: You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 card you control and 1 card your opponent controls; destroy them. If this Xyz Summoned card is destroyed: You can target 2 "The Phantom Knights" monsters with the same Level in your GY; Special Summon them and increase their Levels by 1, also you cannot Special Summon monsters for the rest of this turn, except DARK monsters. "And thanks to Phantom Knights of Ragged Gloves, if it was used to summon a DARK-Attributed Xyz Monster, that Xyz Monster gain 1,000 Attack Points!" The Phantom Knights of Break Sword suddenly began to glow a deep purple as the horse reared back and cried out in victory (ATK: 2000 + 1000 = 3000), "Then, thanks to the Pendulum Effect of Kuro-Obi, if any number of monsters were Pendulum Summoned, I can return him to my hand!" one of the Pendulum Zones glowed and the monster within it disappeared, "I place one card facedown and then I end my turn." Turn 2: Golden Flare - Hand: 5 "Alright, I draw!" Golden began to assess the situation, Okay, so Enix has one Pendulum Monster in the Pendulum Zone, and two powerful monsters on his field, now how should I counter? he plucked a card from his hand, "I Set a monster in Defense Mode, then I end with one Set card! Your go!" Turn 3: Enix - Hand: 1 "My draw!" Enix threw his hand forward, "I use Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to attack your monster!" the dragon let loose a stream of fire as the set monster revealed itself. "I activate the effect of AquaMan.EXE!" Golden declared. AquaMan.EXE Attribute: WATER Level: 3 Type: Warrior/Effect ATK: 1200 DEF: 1600 Effect: During each Standby Phase, add 1 "Battle Chip" Equip Spell from your Deck to your hand. Once per turn, during either player's turn, discard 1 "Battle Chip" Spell from your hand: This card cannot be destroyed by battle until the End Phase. "By discarding my 'Battle Chip - RollAro2', 'AquaMan.EXE' can't be destroyed by battle until the End Phase!" The flame impacted on the little water warrior, but when they died down, he was still intact in Defense Position. "Not bad. I'll end my turn for now." Turn 4: Golden Flare - Hand: 4 "Okay, I draw!" Golden looked over what he had so far and then made his move, "During Standby Phase, 'AquaMan.EXE' grants me a new 'Battle Chip' Equip Spell, and I choose...'Battle Chip - Barr100'!" Battle Chip - Barr100 Equip Spell Card Effect: Can only be equipped to a ".EXE" monster. Once per turn: The equipped monster cannot be destroyed by battle. After this effect resolves: Deal 100 damage to your opponent, and if you do; destroy this card. "Now, I release 'AquaMan.EXE', to Tribute Summon 'FireMan.EXE'!" A rather taller warrior came out, but instead of water like the last one, this one seemed to be bursting with flames. FireMan.EXE Attribute: FIRE Level: 6 Type: Warrior/Effect ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500 Effect: During each Standby Phase, add 1 "Battle Chip" Equip Spell from your Deck to your hand. Once per turn, target 1 monster your opponent controls: Your opponent takes damage equal to half of the targeted monster's ATK. "Now, I activate his effect! I target one monster you control and you take damage equal to half of that monster's full Attack Points, and that includes the enhancements! And I choose Break Sword!" FireMan.EXE suddenly slammed his thruster-like arms to the ground and let loose an explosion of flames towards Enix, who felt his Life Points dwindle (Enix: 4,000 - 1,500 = 2,500 LP). "That got him! But I'm not done yet, I play my Equip Spell, 'Battle Chip - LongSwrd'!" FireMan.EXE's right thruster then became a long beam sword (ATK: 2100 + 1000 = 3100), "That should do it, but I'm not gonna attack, I know better than to walk into Trap Cards, but at least you won't risk your own monsters now. For now, I'll play 'Double Summon', and Normal Summon Roll.EXE!" Double Summon Normal Spell Card Effect: You can conduct 2 Normal Summons/Sets this turn, not just 1. Roll.EXE Attribute: LIGHT Level: 3 Type: Warrior/Effect ATK: 1200 DEF: 1400 Effect: When this card attacks: Gain 500 LP. Once per turn, add either 1 "Battle Chip - RollAro1", "Battle Chip - RollAro2", or "Battle Chip - RollAro3" from your Deck to your hand. "I'll then end it there." Turn 5: Enix - Hand: 3 "I draw!" Enix then made his move, "I play one card facedown, and then summon Elemental HERO Sparkman!" a blue and yellow warrior appeared before Enix as it sparked with electricity, "I then activate Break Sword's special ability! By using one Overlay Unit, I take one card you have and one of my own and destroy them both!" one of Break Sword's swirling lights flew into its blade as it glowed with power (OLU: 2 - 1 = 1), "I destroy 'Roll.EXE' and my Break Sword!" The two aforementioned monsters glowed before exploding into particles of light, greatly confusing Golden, Why would he destroy the strongest monster in his arsenal? "And thanks to Break Sword's ability, when he's destroyed, I take two 'Phantom Knights' monsters with the same level in my Graveyard and Special Summon them, but I increase their levels by one! And welcome back Silent Boots and Ragged Gloves!" the two spirit monsters from before the Xyz Summoning had returned, but they were a bit different in level (Level: 3 + 1 = 4). Golden tensed, I don't like this... Enix placed his hand on his Duel Disk and took a deep breath, "It's time..." he whispered something that Golden couldn't hear, then he continued, "I overlay my two Phantom Knights!" the spirits turned to swirling lights once more and flew into another red portal, I will not cry, I won't cry...I won't CRY! "Cloaked in shadows and relentless in its objective, I call upon the most dangerous of dragons! I Xyz Summon! Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon!" The new black and dark purple dragon appeared next to Odd-Eyes with mechanical-like wings and spike almost everywhere on its body. Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon Attribute: DARK Rank: 4 Type: Dragon/Xyz/Effect ATK: 2500 DEF: 2000 Effect: 2 Level 4 monsters You can detach 2 materials from this card, then target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; its ATK becomes half its current ATK, and if it does, this card gains that lost ATK. "So THAT'S what he was gunning for..." Golden uttered. "I activate Dark Rebellion's effect!" the two swirling lights flew into the dragon's wings (OLU 2 - 2 = 0), "By using both its Overlay Units, I target one monster on your side of the field and its Attack Points are cut in half, and Dark Rebellion GAINS those lost Attack Points!" purple electricity flowed from the dragon's body as it ensnared FireMan.EXE and drained his strength (ATK: 3100 - 1550 = 1550), and gave that very strength to Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon (ATK: 2500 + 1550 = 4050), "And don't forget my Ragged Gloves' ability!" just then, the dark dragon stronger once again as it roared with power (ATK: 4050 + 1000 = 5050), "Now, Dark Rebellion, ATTACK!" the dragon charges forward in flight, ready to run the warrior through with its fangs. "Reveal Trap Card! 'Battle Chip - Mine'!" the facedown flipped up, "If I control a '.EXE' monster when my opponent attacks, I can negate the attack and destroy the attacking monster!" all of a sudden, Dark Rebellion exploded as the Trap resolved its effect. "Oh no. You destroyed my friend's card. It was one of a kind." Enix said, emotionlessly...then smirked, "You remind me of me when I was young: always full of comebacks." "Any more tricks up your sleeve, or are you fresh out?" Golden asked, defiantly. "Hmph...tell me, GOLDIE, can you do...THIS yet??" Enix twisted a dial on his Duel Disk. //Switching from Augmented Reality to Solid Reality...Generating "Action Field: Crossover"...// a shining orb appeared above them and seemed to have popped, //Action Cards dispersed.// Golden shielded his eyes from the sudden light changing the whole field of battle, when he was able to see again, he was shocked to see moving midair platforms and Enix...riding on Odd-Eyes' back?! "What the?!" "Sparkman!" the sparking warrior attacked FireMan.EXE, making him explode into particles of light (Golden Flare: 4,000 - 50 = 3,950 LP), "Now...ODD-EYES!!" the red dragon blasted Golden with a stream of fire, the power of the attack forcing him onto his back (Golden Flare: 3,950 - 2,500 = 1,450 LP). "Urgh...that...hurt? That hurt!" Golden exclaimed, shocked. Enix and Odd-Eyes landed in front of Golden, "Well...?" "I...I can't! How did YOU get Solid Reality tech?! Only Crystal Prep has that kind of tech in this town!" Odd-Eyes began to run circles around Golden, "I have my ways. I end my turn from there." Turn 6: Golden Flare - Hand: 2 Golden struggles to stand up, but does so anyway, "I...draw..." I have to find a way to defeat Odd-Eyes... a sharp pain ran through his body, Ugh...first he has Pendulum Summoning, then Xyz Summoning, and now Solid Reality tech? Just who IS this guy?! "I summon...'NumberMan.EXE' in Attack Mode..." a humanoid robot with a blinking light bulb for a head appears on the field. NumberMan.EXE Attribute: LIGHT Level: 3 Type: Machine/Effect ATK: 900 DEF: 900 Effect: During each Standby Phase, add 1 "Battle Chip" Equip Spell from your Deck to your hand. Once per turn, during either player's turn; roll a six-sided die: Deal damage to your opponent equal to the result x 100. "Then I...equip him with..." Golden coughed, "my 'Battle Chip - Barr100' Spell...I end my turn..." Turn 7: Enix - Hand: 2 "Draw!" Enix made his move, "I place one card facedown and summon Performapal U Go Golem!" an oddly shaped golem with a top hat appeared on Enix's field (1600/1000), "...I end my turn for now." Turn 8: Golden Flare - Hand: 1 Golden started to regain control of his damaged body and drew, "I draw. NumberMan.EXE's effect activates! I add 'Battle Chip - FireSwrd' to my hand!" Battle Chip - FireSwrd Equip Spell Card Effect: Can only be equipped to a ".EXE" monster. Increase the equipped monster's ATK by 1000. The equipped monster becomes a FIRE-Attribute monster. "I then activate NumberMan.EXE's other effect!" a holographic die appeared in front of Golden, "I roll a six-sided die, and you take damage equal to the result times one-hundred! Go, Doom Dice!" he threw the die and result came up 5, "Five! Which means you take 500 points of damage!" A rather large die appeared and threw itself at Enix, exploding upon contact (Enix: 2,500 - 500 = 2,000 LP). "Now, I equip NumberMan.EXE with 'Battle Chip - FireSwrd'! He gains 1,000 Attack Points and he becomes a FIRE-Attribute monster!" one of the machine's hands became a burning beam sword as its strength grew and Attribute changed (ATK: 900 + 1000 = 1900) (Attribute: LIGHT > FIRE), "Then I play the Field Spell 'Battle Chip - LavaStge'!" The entire field's ground changed to fire and magma thanks to the Field Spell. Battle Chip - LavaStge Field Spell Card Effect: Can only be used when you control a ".EXE" monster. All FIRE-Attribute and Pyro-Type monsters gain 500 ATK and DEF. For each Standby Phase, if you or your opponent do not control a FIRE-Attribute or Pyro-Type monster: You and your opponent take damage equal to the total monsters either of you control x 100. Enix hopped onto one of the platforms as Golden continued, "Now, NumberMan.EXE, attack U Go Golem! Fire Sword Slash!" NumberMan.EXE rushed forward as the burning field gave it a boost (ATK: 1900 + 500 = 2400) Enix grabbed an card lying on a nearby platform, "I activate the Action Spell, 'Miracle'! It saves my monster from destruction and cuts the damage I take in half!" an invisible barrier constructed itself around the golem as NumberMan.EXE sliced, but hit the shield instead (Enix: 2,000 - 400 = 1,600 LP). "Grr, that's new...I end my turn." Golden concluded. Turn 9: Enix - Hand: 1 "I draw!" but he was interrupted. "The effect of 'Battle Chip - LavaStge' now activates! If either of us doesn't have a FIRE-Attribute or Pyro-Type monster on our fields, we take damage equal to the number of monsters we control times 100! But since I now have FIRE-Attributed monster, YOU alone take the damage of all your monsters!" the burning field lit up and caught the monsters on fire, and said fire spread to Enix, depleting his Life Points further (Enix: 1,600 - 300 = 1,300 LP) Enix then played the card he just drew, "I summon Elemental HERO Wildheart in Attack Mode!" a tanned, amazon warrior-like man jumped onto the field, "I now overlay my 3 Level 4 monsters to build the Overlay Network!" He's doing ANOTHER Xyz Summon?!...Wait. Golden immediately noticed the portal wasn't red this time...it was a galaxy portal as he watched the lights fly into it in horror, It can't be!!! "You've witnessed Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, and Elemental HEROES mixed with Pendulum Summoning," Enix began to monologue, "But this one...is my TRUE ace! I Xyz Summon!" a weird symbol briefly in his eye, but it disappeared too fast for Golden to see what it was, "'Number 12: Eiji, The False Black Swordsman'!" a young man wearing a full-body armored suit wielding a dark-colored sword and the number 12 in the center of his chest appeared from the exploding portal. Number 12: Eiji, The False Black Swordsman Attribute: EARTH Rank: 4 Type: Warrior/Xyz/Effect ATK: 2600 DEF: 2700 Effect: 3 Level 4 monsters Cannot be destroyed by battle except with "Number" monsters. Once per turn, when an opponent's monster attacks this card, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, then target the attacking monster: Destroy it. Golden was in complete shock, "How...how did you get a Number...?" Enix just stood there with an annoyed look on his face. "Well?!" Enix growled a bit at the insistence, "...You wouldn't understand." Golden was stunned at his words, to the point he couldn't respond to that. Enix sat on the edge of the platform he once stood upon. "Did you...KILL someone?" Enix looked at his Duel Disk, "...Killing isn't something I roll with." "Then how?!" "...We were sent on a mission." "'We'?" "My team and I were supposed to retrieve an artifact...But before that, let me tell you my tale of Duel Monsters in MY world..." (stop music) 4 Days Ago... Canterlot Castle - Alternative Dimension Enix's POV Where I come from, Duel Monsters was merely a game for fun and sport, not a battle for supremacy. But one day, everything changed, and I was forced to protect everyone I loved...but I just wasn't good enough. My friends were all captured and forced into servitude... "What?" Golden asked, baffled. Anyways, the Royal Guards were patrolling exactly like we were informed, my team and I were sneaking through the halls as I gave them hand signals to proceed forward cautiously... "Are you sure this is it?" one of my teammates codenamed "B" asked. "Yes, I'm positive. As soon as we enter these doors, that's where the artifact is stored." I said, my codename "G". "Not sure about that, G; the doors are locked up tight." teammate "R" pointed out. "Then we'll just have to bust them out. Gang, any ideas?" "We could cut it open with our swords, but the chances of the guards hearing us are way too high." teammate "P" stated. "Alright then, L, D, what are your options? Can we blow them open?" "Yes, but I highly advise against it; if we use explosive magic on the doors, we'll risk damaging the merchandise, and don't get me started on alerting every guard in the castle." "D" shot that idea down. "Why not swipe the key?" "L" suggested, making everyone stare at him with a deadpan expression as D simply backhanded him. "What a stupid way to do the job!" D said. Suddenly, the sound of rattling armor was making its way towards them as the group hid, one of the Unicorn guards looked around with their spotlight spell, seeing nothing, the guard began to continue on, but was stopped something covering their muzzle before being karate chopped on the back of their head, effectively knocking them out. D dragged the unconscious guard into a broom closet, grabbed the key hidden in their armor, exited and locked the guard inside. He soon returned to his team key in hand. "Got the key, let's go." D said, going to unlock the doors. Once they were opened, the team gazed upon many an artifact on display within the forbidden archives, some of which have plaques on the front of them detailing what they do. "Alright, let's split up; Bravo Team will search the upstairs section, Alpha Team, you're with me, let's see if we can find it." G ordered. The "Bravo Team", which consisted of R, L, and P, headed upstairs to look while "Alpha Team", G, D, and B, looked around below them, searching for their target. B was reading one of the plaques when he spoke up. "Nothing so far..." he said. D was searching through books to see if he could find out its resting place, "The books don't say anything on artifacts that transcend time and space, but I'll keep lookin'." G simply walked around to see anything that stood out of place, "Hey, B, got a question to ask you." "What's up?" "Is it me, or do the things on my back seem a little...heavy?" G motioned to the two swords adorning his back. P suddenly showed up out of nowhere and asked, "Why look at the negative, boss?" D took over from his place at the bookshelves, "Yeah, besides, we're swordsmen, without those we'd be defenseless." G shrugged, "Fair enough." P then went back upstairs and noticed something off about one of the walls, then proceeded to knock on it, hearing a slight echo, "Hey guys! I hit something!" Both teams made their way to P's area as D spoke, "Let's have a look." he pulled on the wall, but it stood firm, "It's locked!" "Guess it's a good time to test this out." G pulled out one of his swords and pressed the tip of the blade at the wall, he then shoved it through, destroying their obstacle. "Okay, THAT'S gonna alert some of the guards." B remarked. "Oh, cry me a river." The group pressed on and another door, but this one was actually unlocked, so G simply opened it, revealing on the other side, a reference guide. "Whoooa!" P said, amazed. "You said it..." G said. B looked through the guide and examined the room, "Hmm...this guide contains the device's power, but all it's saying about 'parallel worlds', 'imaginary wave', and 'reflect wave', including a bunch of other things even I don't understand...wait, what's this? 'Phenomenon Leap Fold...ten stones...ten holes on the face...when touched, some inertia force will make time stop at that point...their positions can be confirmed with the sensor...by touching it, one can go back where the stone was left...must exercise the utmost caution with this device...that is...' The rest is worn out. And there's one other tidbit: the stones exist in space-time? The hell does that mean? G, is THIS what your client wants?" "I was a little skeptical myself, but yeah, this is what he wants." G answered. "Well, sorry, but we can't do this. I've only read and understood half of what all this says, and it's clear that this 'Reflector Device' is extremely dangerous; in the wrong hands, it could alter, not just history as we know it, but also time and space, maybe even destroy it." "Hey, guys," P began, "I got a quick question." "What's up?" D asked. "Isn't it weird that we were lead into an inner sanctum where the device should be, but all we found was the guide for it, but not the device itself? I mean, it should be RIGHT here, on this pedestal. So where is it?" B began to think on P's words, "...You know, that actually is a good question, it should be here, so why isn't it...?" G started thinking to himself, That's odd...the client mentioned that it should be on the pedestal within the inner sanctum... Realization then gripped his heart like an icy claw, Unless...! D was unaware of G's thought as he pondered, Hmm...even if it was here or not, how did the client know EXACTLY where it would be if they hadn't even entered the portal...? D had finally put the pieces together. G and D both shouted: "GUYS!! IT'S A TRAP!!!/THIS IS A SETUP!!!" "Exactly." An unknown voice and the telltale sounds of spears being drawn alerted the group to the main entrance and saw an entire battalion of Royal Guards. "I never thought it would be a bunch of humans, AND one of our own kind, no less." one of the guards spoke, "You have your friend to thank for for this. You lot have been sold out." "D...got any options?" G asked his partner. "No. Somebody think of something quick before they figure out they've got us surrounded." P raised a finger, "I got one." "I'm all ears at this point. Let's hear it." P began to reach for his rapier, "3...2...1..." he swiftly drew his blade and rapidly thrust it towards the enemies, who barely had time to react as P shouted, "RUUUUUUUNNN!!!" Luckily, the guards managed to put up a shield spell that prevented them from taking major damage, but it was taxing on their minds, so they immediately passed out as the group rushed out of the sanctum with P leading the escape. "Stop them! Don't let them get away!" one of the only conscious guard left ordered. "Sorry guys, it was the only thing I could think of!" P quickly said as he continued his assault. "Are you crazy?" D began, "This is the best idea you've had in your life!" Unfortunately, reinforcements started pouring in as they left the forbidden archive, all of which are hot on their trail with more in front of them, barring their escape. "B, R, defense formation!" G ordered. B drew two axe-like blades while R drew a single-edged sword backhanded and they both charged through them like a hot knife through butter, effectively knocking them out. "Good job, guys!" G congratulated. The next wave of guards showed in front of them, spears at the ready to skewer them through, but they were ready. "D, it's all you!" G ordered him. "Understood." D said. D then drew a two-handed greatsword from his back and rushed ahead of the group, spinning like a top and slicing through the spears and guards, knocking them unconscious as well. "Alright, this is getting too hot; L, prepare a teleportation spell, I'll keep 'em busy." G said as he drew one black longsword from his back. "Wait, that one hasn't been tested yet! The results haven't been confirmed!" B argued. G flipped the sword into a downward position and thrust it into the floor as even more guards rushed in, "It's about to take a road test! ENHANCE ARMAMENT!!" just as he shouted that, purple, corrosive hand-like vines ripped through the floor towards the guards and gripped them firmly so they couldn't move. "What is this?! No sword can do that!" a random guard said. "A sword? Don't be childish. This kid...is in possession of a DIVINE OBJECT!!" "SCREAM!! SCREAM AS THE VINES MELT YOU!!" One of the Pegasus guards managed to fly above the vines' range, "What IS this magic?!" D jumped up a stepped on the Pegasus's shoulder blade, "No ya don't!" then used said foot and shoved him back down, "Not while we're workin'!" With a grunt, the guard hit the ground as the vines grabbed him, whipped him all over, and threw him out the nearest window. G began to groan as he slumped forward, still holding the sword in its place. "Guys, get him outta here, we gotta get to the portal NOW!" D ordered as he took charge. The others managed to grab G and made their way to another doorway when D asked: "Is it clear?" P looked out the window and saw an entire army of guards, "Uhhh..." "I take it that's a 'no'." P turned back and shook his head. D groaned, "I guess we'll have to double back to portal before they overrun us." "That sounds like a good idea. Any more time spent here, and we'll be captured or worse." G agreed. L began, "Then let's get outta here--" "OR we could stay and fight?" B looked shocked, "What?! Are you CRAZY?!?" "Alright, you two-legged creatures!" a guard shouted from behind the doors, "There's no place to go! Come out with your hooves, claws, or whatever it is you have, in the air!" when nothing happen, the guard called out again, "We're gonna give you to the count of three, and if you don't come out willingly, YOU'RE TOAST!!" G redrew his swords, "We may die if we take a stand here, but staying gives us the chance to change our fates. We have divine weapons, with them, our freedom is ours for the taking!" D and B stopped G from rushing out the doors, "Bro, you can't do that!" D began, "You can't handle any more of that sword's power! I can tell just by looking at you!" G chuckled, "Getting short-sighted in your age, bro?" D deadpanned, "...I'm two years younger than you, dipstick." "Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm still in control." D noticed the sword's glow, and he knew that G wouldn't be in control for much longer, he wanted to tell him such, but D pushed that thought aside, knowing his older brother wouldn't listen, "...You're the same as ever; once you've got your heart set on something, nothing will sway you until you see it through to the end." D then drew his greatsword, "Let's do this then. I'm going with you! You'll need someone to drag your lifeless corpse back through the portal." "As long as you still got the strength to do so, then by all means." But L and R didn't like this plan one bit, "If G dies, then we all die!" R argued. "We're going back to the portal! We're leaving!" L demanded. "Well, I say you're both coming with us." G smirked, "What would we do without that skill you have, L? And you, R, you're the muscle, you can't back down from a challenge, can you?" "...He's got a point." L relented as he shrugged. R groaned, "...You always get the last word." he drew his own sword as well, "Let's do this." BANG! BANG! BANG! "The guards are trying to break down the doors, they're gonna get in!" P warned. "It's now or never, G." B gave him a choice, drawing his weapons, "Let's show them what we've got! We'll give them a warm Earth hello!" "Understood!" G said, getting ready to run down whoever gets in his way. Everyone else got into battle positions, preparing themselves for the fight of their lives. "On the count of three!" P ordered. "One..." D started, his greatsword glowing. "TWO..." a guard from outside called. G readied a powerful sword skill as the last number was called out: "THREE!!!" With a battle cry, both sides rushed into one another, fighting what appeared to be a small war... Present Day Canterlot High School - Rooftop 3rd Person POV Golden Flare: 1,450 LP Enix: 1,300 LP "...The mission didn't turn out well." Enix finished. Golden was surprised at this admission...and how long that tale was. But one thing didn't add up, "That still doesn't explain how you got that Number." "I got that Number from facing 'The Phantom Swordsman'." "Wait, the guy on the news?" "I saw him attack Rainbow Dash and that guitarist, and challenged him to a Duel. He wiped out all my monsters, and he gave the last turn to pull a miracle, I stared at my cards and said, 'I cannot die, I must pursue him'. That was when my deck started to glow, and I performed a 'Miracle Draw', and you saw what's on the field now. Since he gave me the last turn, I'll give YOU the last turn, see if you can perform a Miracle Draw like I did. I end my turn." Turn 10: Golden Flare - Hand: 1 Golden reached for his deck and prepared to draw, "Here goes nothing...DRAW!" he looked at the card he drew, "Perfect! I activate 'NumberMan's effect! I get 'Battle Chip - WideSwrd'!" Battle Chip - WideSwrd Equip Spell Card Effect: Can only be equipped to a ".EXE" monster. Increase the equipped monster's ATK by 500. The equipped monster can attack thrice on the same battle phase. "Then I summon out 'IceMan.EXE'!" the snow-suited little warrior appeared on Golden's field (1300/1100), "Before I do anything else, I activate IceMan's ability! Once per turn, I can negate a monster's effects until the End Phase, and I choose Number 12!" the dark armored swordsman suddenly hunched over a blizzard hit him and weakening him, "Now, with his effects out of the way, I'll do a little Overlay action myself!" NumberMan and IceMan turned into a red light and a blue light respectively and flew into the air as the Equip Spells destroyed themselves, "Merging the NetNavis of calculation and frozen water, I give rise to one of the Deadly Sins! I Xyz Summon, 'Number 22: Embodiment of Vanity'!" the quadruple ugly face painting (2400/2000) made a return, saying in a distorted voice, "I'LL PAINT ALL OVER YOU!!!" Hmm...so this is what Shinkokuna reported... Enix thought, then used his Duel Gazer to scan for another Action Card, and found one while remaining on Odd-Eyes' back to reach it, "You summoned a weaker Number to fight mine?" "I equip Embodiment of Vanity with the Black Pendant Equip Spell!" Black Pendant Equip Spell Card Effect: The equipped monster gains 500 ATK. When this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard: Inflict 500 damage to your opponent. "I added a few regular cards in case I couldn't use my '.EXE' monsters, now attack Eiji!" the paintings charged forward (ATK: 2400 + 500 = 2900), ready to chomp into the swordsman. "Reveal Trap card! Draining Shield!" Enix called, making Eiji raise his sword to block and draining its Attack Points for Enix's Life Points (Enix: 1,300 + 2,900 = 4,200 LP), "A little lesson for ya that I learned from chess: 'Always stay three steps ahead of your opponent'!" Golden just growled at the comeback, "...I'll end my turn." Turn 11: Enix - Hand: 1 "I draw!" Enix looked at his hand and made his move, "And don't forget, the effect of your Field Spell! Now we BOTH take damage since you lost your only FIRE monster!" Golden and Enix both felt the burning effects of LavaStge (Golden Flare: 1,450 - 100 = 1,350 LP) (Enix: 4,200 - 200 = 4,000 LP), "Then I return 'Kuro-Obi Karate Spirit' to set the Pendulum Scale!" the Pendulum monster came back and reset the scales (Pendulum Scale: 1-9), "I Pendulum Summon 'Elemental HERO Neos'!" a new monster appeared, but looked like a white humanoid alien. Elemental HERO Neos Attribute: LIGHT Level: 7 Type: Warrior/Normal ATK: 2500 DEF: 2000 Description: A new Elemental HERO has arrived from Neo-Space! When he initiates a Contact Fusion with a Neo-Spacian his unknown powers are unleashed. "And again, my Karate Spirit return to my hand, so for now, I'll end my turn." Turn 12: Golden Flare - Hand: 1 "Then I draw!" Golden looked at his newly drawn card just before LavaStge's effect took hold again (Golden Flare: 1,350 - 100 = 1,250 LP) (Enix: 4,000 - 300 = 3,700 LP). "You're gonna run out of Life Points eventually." Enix remarked. But Golden ignored him and continued, "I summon 'NormalNavi.EXE' in Defense Mode!" a small looking green robot warrior appeared next to the paintings. NormalNavi.EXE Attribute: EARTH Level: 2 Type: Warrior/Normal ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000 Description: A completely normal NetNavi, commonly made within the Cyberworld. These kinds of NetNavis are usually weaker than custom-made NetNavis. "I'll Set my last card, and attack Eiji with Vanity!" the paintings charged forward once again, this time intending to finish off its target. "I activate Number 12's ability! By removing one Overlay Unit, a monster attacking Eiji is destroyed!" a swirling light flew into Eiji's sword (OLU 2 - 1 =1), and Vanity shattered into particles of light. "I...end my turn." Golden relented. //Intrusion Penalty: 2,000 Life Points.// the computerized voice spoke, accompanied by the sound of crackling electricity and Life Point counter dropping (???: 4,000 - 2,000 = 2,000 LP). "What the?!" Turn 13: ??? - Hand: 5 "I draw!" a distorted deep voice spoke out of nowhere, "I summon 'Destiny HERO - Drilldark' in Attack Mode!" a humanoid monster appeared with multiple drills on its body. Destiny HERO - Drilldark Attribute: DARK Level: 4 Type: Warrior/Effect ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200 Effect: If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 "Destiny HERO" monster from your hand with ATK less than or equal to this card's ATK on the field. You can only use this effect of "Destiny HERO - Drilldark" once per turn. If this card attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. "I activate his special ability! If Drilldark was Normal or Special Summoned, I can Special Summon one other 'Destiny HERO' from my hand with ATK less than or equal to Drilldark's! Come forth, 'Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude'!" another monster appeared, but this one was covered in diamond spikes instead of drills. Destiny HERO - Diamond Dude Attribute: DARK Level: 4 Type: Warrior/Effect ATK: 1400 DEF: 1600 Effect: Once per turn: You can excavate the top card of your Deck, and if it is a Normal Spell, send it to the GY, otherwise place it on the bottom of your Deck. During the Main Phase of your next turn, you can activate the effect of that Spell in your GY (even if you no longer control this face-up card). "Drilldark! Attack 'NormalNavi.EXE'!" the monster lunged at the robot and destroyed it with its drills, the force knocking Golden on his back thanks to the Solid Reality tech (Golden Flare: 1,250 - 600 = 650 LP), "And now to claim your dueling spirit! Diamond Dude! Direct attack!" the diamond monster charged and finished Golden off as he yelled in pain (Golden Flare: 650 - 1400 = 0 LP). The pain became too much for him and Golden blacked out... A Few Seconds Later Canterlot High School - Rooftop Enix POV I watched Golden fall sprawling on his ass and passing out as I looked at our new arrival, who typed something on their Duel Disk. //Double Surrender. The Duel has been tied. Defeat: Golden Flare.// the computer voice echoed as our Duel Disks shut down. Guess my Duel Disk was hacked. I smirked, "...Excellent show, 'Phantom Swordsman'." The "Phantom Swordsman" removed the goggles and face mask to reveal, not surprisingly, Shinkokuna, my employer and come-to-terms friend, "When I said, 'go easy', this is NOT what I had in mind." "At least we got the Number from him...oh, that's right!" I walked up to Golden and picked up the Barian Number card he conveniently dropped, I read it, and had to double-take, "The Barian Number Golden had was one of the Seven Deadly Sins?" I then smirked deviously, "Well, what do you know?" "Here." Shinkokuna toss me something, "Give these to him. I already wrote the letter to him." "Alright." "Also, I looked up into that favor we talked about." "And...?" "There's no one by the name of 'Jisatsu Benedict' in our database." "What?" "I asked my co-workers to look this person up, but nothing. It's as if this person came out of nowhere. Whoever set up that mission wanted you dead." I put a hand to my chin, "Whoever this Jistasu is...I WILL tell you this: things are about to get interesting. C'mon, let's go, Golden should be coming to soon." We left before Golden could wake up, leaving him with a few presents... The Next Morning Canterlot High School - Cafeteria 3rd Person POV "So did anyone find out who the Phantom Swordsman is?" Sunset asked the group. The girls, Minus Rainbow Dash, uttered their responses, all meaning "no". "Golden? What about you?" Golden himself was thinking as he was nursing a few bruises from last night's Duel, until Pinkie noticed them, "Hey, Goldie, what's with the bruises? You didn't have them yesterday, did ya?" He shook his head, "No. I got these last night, from a Solid Reality Duel." The girls gasped in surprise, then Golden began to explain his tale about what happened. "...And that's how it went down. Not only that, but they left me some things." Golden pulled out a few cards and a couple letters. The first letter read: Golden Flare, I want to thank you for last night, you ignited a fire in me that I thought was extinguished long ago. Someday, maybe in three days time, I hope we can get along as good friends. Also, Pinkie Pie, that was her name, right? I'd like to pass you both a little message: teen love, they say it never lasts, but nothing distracts teenagers more than hormones, and I want you two to stay together for the next three days. What I swore to my life, the day I lost everyone that mattered to me. Sincerely, Enix P.S. Thanks for the Number. Then the second read: Watch your back. Because your friends are not what they seem. "Yeah, I lost my Number, but someone gave me a new one, along with a couple other cards." Golden said as he showed them the cards. Number 64: Bass.EXE Attribute: DARK Rank: 8 Type: Warrior/Xyz/Effect ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500 Effect: 2 Level 8 monsters Cannot be destroyed by battle except with "Number" monsters. You can also Xyz Summon this card by using a ".EXE" Xyz monster you control as the Xyz Material. (Xyz Materials attached to that monster also become Xyz Materials on this card.) If this card was summoned with an Xyz Monster as an Xyz Material, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card: This card can attack thrice per Battle Phase. If this card battles an opponent's Defense Position monster: Inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. GutsMan.EXE Attribute: EARTH Level: 7 Pendulum Scale: 1 Type: Warrior/Pendulum/Effect ATK: 2800 DEF: 2000 Pendulum Effect: If there is a ".EXE" card in the other Pendulum Zone: Add 1 "Battle Chip" Spell from your Deck to your hand. When your opponent activates a Spell: Negate the activation, and if you do; destroy it. Effect: During each Standby Phase, add 1 "Battle Chip" Equip Spell from your Deck to your hand. Once per turn, during the Battle Phase: This card can attack twice this turn. JunkMan.EXE Attribute: EARTH Level: 5 Pendulum Scale: 8 Type: Machine/Pendulum/Effect ATK: 1800 DEF: 2500 Pendulum Effect: If there is a ".EXE" card in the other Pendulum Zone: Add 1 "Battle Chip" Trap from your Deck to your hand. When your opponent activates a Trap: Negate the activation, and if you do; destroy it. Effect: During each Standby Phase, add 1 "Battle Chip" Equip Spell from your Deck to your hand. During the End Phase: This card is switched to Defense Position. "Ah only got one question," Applejack began, "Why give ya a letter that says he lost everythang?" Golden put a hand to his chin, "Whatever happened to Enix must be pretty bad for him to tell me like this. On the plus side, I heard Rainbow's getting released today." Then they all began to plan for Rainbow's return from the hospital, unaware that someone was watching them from the windows with a small smile before walking away. The figure put his hands in his pockets until he felt something in one of them, he pulled it out to see a blue stone. "What the...?" It was then he realized... "I'm all ears at this point. Let's hear it." P began to reach for his rapier...but also secretly slipped a sphere-like stone into G's pocket, "3...2...1..." he swiftly drew his blade and rapidly thrust it towards the enemies, who barely had time to react as P shouted, "RUUUUUUUNNN!!!" The figure huffed out a chuckle, "Heh, Purple, you sneaky, ditzy bastard...you just gave me a second chance, and I'm NOT gonna blow it!" Present Time Canterlot Castle Dungeon - Alternative Dimension 3rd Person POV "You guys clearly ARE the perfect team for the job!" an unknown figure gloated as he gazed upon the espionage team all chained up in chairs, "I actually believed you, of all places to arrive in Canterlot, you just showed up where I leaked the team was gonna be to show up and steal the Reflector Device, when it was GONE this whole time! Oh, man! I was laughing hysterically!" he chuckled a bit more, then took on a disappointed tone, "But then you just had to go and...ruin the ride. I mean, using a divine object to carve a path through my guards? 'Enhance Armament!'" he mocked, "Lame, lame, lame, lame, LAME! Alright, where did he go?!" "W-Where? What are you talking about?" B asked, confused. The figure scowled and snapped his fingers. Pony Applejack with a dazed look in her eyes appeared and proceeded to break B's arm, making him scream. "I'm referring to four days ago at 0430 hours, military time, of course, while you guys were snooping around and fighting off my troops, your leader was the only one who escaped into another dimension." "We didn't know...he went to another dimension..." R answered. The figure snapped his fingers again and Pony Rainbow Dash, who also had a dazed look in her eyes, began pummeling R relentlessly, until she finally stopped. "And now, we can't find one of the stones for the Device because it MYSTERIOUSLY went missing! Where did he go?!" "We didn't find any stone!" L denied. The figure groaned and snapped his fingers once again, "Ugh, play the transmission." //Just...go easy on her.// //Dash, your soul will be sweet.// D gasped, "Bro!" "Oh, so you do know where he is? Well, I'll send him a little greeting." the figure turned to Applejack, "Applejack SUI-871. I'm giving you this card. A token for your hard work. I hope you'll use it to put on a good show." "Applejack SUI-871" looked at the card with a malicious sneer as one of her eyes changed from emerald green to dark blue. Number C77: Typhon, The Witch of Pride Attribute: DARK Rank: 9 Type: Spellcaster/Xyz/Effect ATK: 4500 DEF: 1000 Effect: 3 Level 9 monsters Cannot be destroyed by battle except with "Number" monsters. You can also Xyz Summon this card by using a "Rank-Up-Magic - The Witches of Sin" Spell. (Xyz Materials attached to that monster also become Xyz Materials on this card.) If this card was summoned with an Xyz Monster as an Xyz Material: This card can attack thrice per Battle Phase. Once per turn: detach 1 Xyz Material from this card, or take 3000 damage. A portal had opened next to Applejack SUI-871 and she went through it, intent to complete her mission. "You won't get away with this!" D said. "I didn't. Who do you think led this mission?" the figure replied. "Who are you?" P asked. "Seeing as you guys are gonna die, I'll show you who I REALLY am." the figure stepped out of the shadow and revealed himself as Jisatsu, but then dark blue flames burned away his disguise to reveal a person with ink black skin, blood red eyes, and dark purple wind-blown hair. "Shadow Blaze?!" the team shouted. "Not just that." Shadow took off his goggles and revealed dark blue flames in his eyes. "Wait..." L uttered, and exclaimed, "Brother?!" "Hello, Lloyd." "Golden Flare?!" "...And goodbye." Shadow conjured a ball of dark blue flames and blasted Lloyd into oblivion as the others watched helplessly. "Like the new powers? I call it, my 'Despair Flame'." Shadow then proceeded to blast the others with his Despair Flame, making them scream as they passed out from the pain. "PP SUI-871 and RD SUI-871, take them to the portal. Leave a little...gift for our escapee." They nod and took them to the Crystal Mirror, shoving them through. Shadow Blaze, formerly known as Pony Golden Flare, laughed maniacally as everything was falling perfectly into place.