//------------------------------// // Chapter 52: Grant // Story: Yu-Gi-Oh! Equus // by moviemaster8510 //------------------------------// Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John vs. Grant Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Pilum (ATK: 800 DEF: 700). Alex then sends Dragunity Pilum to the graveyard to special summon Dragunity Arma Mystletainn (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500). Alex activates Dragon Hatchling, special summoning itself as a Dragon-type monster with the same level as a Dragon-type monster that he controls (6). Alex overlays Dragunity Arma Mystletainn and Dragon Hatchling to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-1 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2 *************************************************** “Summoning your Stone of Equus on your first turn?” mused Grant aloud. “I really shouldn’t have expected anything less of you, Alex.” “Don’t try and butter me up just yet. I know how powerful you are. Hell, I’ve already dueled you to know that.” “Then let’s cut to the chase.” *************************************************** Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Grant activates the effects of his two Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark Worlds in his graveyard, special summoning them when they’re discarded to the graveyard (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1400). Grant then normal summons Renge, Gatekeeper of the Dark World (ATK: 100 DEF: 2100). Grant then activates Star Changer, increasing Renge, Gatekeeper of the Dark World’s level by 1 (ATK: 4 ->5). Grant overlays Renge, Gatekeeper of the Dark World and two Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark Worlds to xyz summon Onyx Cerberus (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2900). Grant attacks Jade Wyvern with Onyx Cerberus, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect, detaching one xyz material from it to prevent the destruction of one monster by battle, choosing Jade Wyvern. Battle damage is applied normally. Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 12000 -> 11200 Grant places one card face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-3 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** “Don’t fight it,” spoke Grant. “It only makes the pain harder.” “Shut up!” yelled Alex. “I’ve come way too far to just end it all right here. I’m going to save you, Grant, and that’s final.” “Saved? What makes you think you can save me?” “I saw what happened after Shining Platinum Dragon destroyed your Onyx Cerberus. You were consumed with sadism and rage. It was almost like when Kyle was possessed by Rae. Something is wrong with that card, Grant, something that’s turning you into something that you even know you’re not.” “If you want to know what truly happened, Rae cursed that card to anchor itself into my soul.” “What?” “She sent Gilda after me and gave the card to me via a Creature Swap during a duel. Upon being given it, I felt a crushing pain wash over my body. Before I thought I couldn’t take it, Rae transferred a bit of her powers into me. Then, she offered me an ultimatum. Either I serve her with Onyx Cerberus by my side with the card’s curse repressed, or she would remove her powers from me and let me suffer Onyx Cerberus’ curse.” “Grant…” “No, forget it! My hands are tied! I will either live in the new world or die by this curse. Make your choice, bearers of the Stones of Equus, fight or die.” “No one’s going to die, Debbie Downer!” shouted Pinkie Pie. *************************************************** Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Worm Call, special summoning a Worm-monster in face down defense position when she controls no monsters. Pinkie Pie sets one monster. Pinkie Pie places two cards face down and ends her turn. Status: Hand-1 Life-11200 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2 *************************************************** “You still seem adamant on thinking that you have a chance to rescue me,” said Grant. “Don’t. I may not like what Rae has done to me, but there’s no way I’m dying in this agony!” *************************************************** Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Dark World Dealings, having each player draw one card and discard one. John activates the effect of Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr, special summoning it from his hand when it was added to his hand from his deck by a card effect (ATK: 1100 DEF: 300). Grant activates the effect of Kahkki, Guerilla of the Dark World, destroying one monster on the field when it was discarded by a card effect, choosing Jade Wyvern, but Pinkie Pie activates Super Sacrifice, switching the target of the effect towards one of her monsters, destroying Worm Cartaros. Grant summons Zure, Knight of the Dark World (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1500). Next, Grant activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster to have another monster gain ATK equal to the amount halved, halving Jade Wyvern’s ATK to increase Onyx Cerberus by the same amount (ATK: 2500 -> 1250) (ATK: 3300 -> 4550). Grant attacks Jade Wyvern with Zure, Knight of the Dark World, but Alex activates Waboku, preventing the destruction of his monsters and reducing the battle damage to 0. Grant attacks Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr with Onyx Cerberus, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect, detaching its last xyz material to prevent the destruction of one monster by battle, choosing Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr. Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 11200 -> 7750 Grant ends his turn. Status: Hand-1 Life-12000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** “Grant,” wheezed John, weakened by Grant’s monster’s blow, “I may feel some sympathy for what you has happened to you, but I will not forgive what you have done to Luna, and now, I’m going to avenge her!” *************************************************** John’s Turn: Alex activates Call of the Haunted, special summoning Dragunity Pilum from his graveyard. Grant activates the effect of Onyx Cerberus. By detaching one xyz material from it, he can negate the special summoning of an opponent’s monster from the graveyard and remove the monster from play, choosing Dragunity Pilum. John special summons Blackwing – Gladius the Midnight Sun, as the only monster he controls is a Blackwing monster (ATK: 800 DEF: 1500). John then normal summons Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). John activates the effect of Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner, discarding one card (Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon) to special summon a level 4 or lower Lightsworn monster from his graveyard, choosing Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior (ATK: 1850 DEF: 1300). John overlays Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr, Blackwing – Gladius the Midnight Sun, and Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner to xyz summon Lapis Lazuli Roc (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1300). John activates Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, John can send the top card of his deck to the graveyard. It is an Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid. With Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect, John can special summon a monster from his graveyard with a level equal to or lower than the sent monster, choosing Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr. John tunes Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior with Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr to synchro summon Blackwing Armor Master (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1500). John attacks Zure, Knight of the Dark World with Lapis Lazuli Roc, but Grant activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing Zure, Knight of the Dark World’s destruction by battle. Damage is applied normally. Grant’s Life Points: 12000 -> 11600 John then attacks Onyx Cerberus with Blackwing Armor Master. With Blackwing Armor Master’s effect, it cannot be destroyed in battle and John takes no battle damage with monsters involving it. Also a Wedge counter is placed on the monster it attacks. John activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching it as xyz material to an xyz monster on the field, choosing Jade Wyvern. John places one card face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-7750 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** “Ffff,” exhaled Grant. “Mere child’s play. If this is the fight you’re going to show to save your princess, then ending you all will be a breeze!” *************************************************** Grant’s Turn: Grant summons Fabled Raven (ATK: 1300 DEF: 1000). Grant activates Fabled Raven’s effect, discarding a number of cards from his hand to increase the level of Fabled Raven by 1 and its ATK by 400 for each card discarded, discarding one (ATK: 1300 -> 1700, Lvl.: 2 -> 3). Grant then activates the effect of Broww, Huntsman of the Dark World, drawing one card when it’s been discarded to the graveyard. Grant tunes Zure, Knight of the Dark World with Fabled Raven to synchro summon Chaos King Archfiend (ATK: 2600 DEF: 2600). Grant attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Chaos King Archfiend, but John activates Shift, redirecting the attack towards Blackwing Armor Master. With Chaos King Archfiend’s effect, all monsters the opponent controls have their ATK and DEF switched until the end of the battle phase (ATK: 2500 -> 1500, DEF: 1500 -> 2500) (ATK: 2200 -> 1300, DEF: 1300 -> 2200) (ATK: 2500 -> 2100, DEF: 2100 -> 2500). Blackwing Armor Master is not destroyed and John takes no battle damage with its effect. Grant then attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Onyx Cerberus, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect, detaching its last xyz material to prevent the destruction of one monster on the field this turn by battle, choosing Lapis Lazuli Roc. Battle damage is still applied. Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 7750 -> 5750 During the end of the battle phase, the ATK and DEF of all monsters return to normal (ATK: 1500 -> 2500, DEF: 2500 -> 1500) (ATK: 1300 -> 2200, DEF: 2200 -> 1300) (ATK: 2100 -> 2500, DEF: 2500 -> 2100). Grant places one card face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-11600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** “Grant,” grunted Alex. He looked at John, who laid writhing on the ground, overcome with the pain of the two attacks inflicted to him over the course of the duel. Alex wanted nothing more than to save Grant, but he felt like there was only one way to do it, but he knew the power wasn’t with him. As Alex winced, trying to come up with a suitable strategy, the top card of his deck, along with his Element of Harmony began to glow. “What?” asked Grant in shock. “Ooh,” exclaimed Pinkie Pie, immersed in the light of Alex’s Element. Suddenly realizing what was going on, Grant reached his hand out. “Wait!” cried Grant. “Don’t do it!” “What? What are you talking about?” “Shining Platinum Dragon. That card brims with Equestrian magic, very similar to that of the Elements of Harmony. When you first destroyed my Onyx Cerberus with it, its magic began to try and pull Onyx Cerberus from my soul. Much like a botfly when bluntly out of the body, Onyx Cerberus’ curse began to infect me, turning me into something darker. If you use the Elements of Harmony against me, I will be consumed with darkness once again.” “I see. In that case, I will wield the Elements of Harmony and tear that card out of you!” The top card of Alex’s deck began to glow even brighter. “My turn!” yelled Alex, putting his fingers on his deck. “Draw! John, now!” “Got it!” yelled John. *************************************************** Alex’s Turn: John activates the effect of Blackwing Armor Master, removing all Wedge counters from his opponent’s monsters and reducing the ATK and DEF of each monster who had a Wedge counter to 0, including Onyx Cerberus (ATK: 3300 -> 0, DEF: 2900 -> 0). Alex then activates Brain Control, paying 800 life points to take control of an opponent’s monster until the end phase, choosing Chaos King Archfiend. Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 5750 -> 4950 Alex then equips Jade Wyvern with Element of Harmony – Passion, having it gain 1500 ATK (ATK: 2500 -> 4000). Alex attacks Onyx Cerberus with Jade Wyvern. Grant’s Life Points: 11600 -> 7600 Grant activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls has been destroyed by battle. With Element of Harmony – Passion’s effect, Alex can draw one card for every 1000 points of damage inflicted through battle with the equipped monster (4000/1000 = 4). Alex then attacks Grant directly with Chaos King Archfiend. Grant’s Life Points: 7600 -> 5000 During the end phase, Chaos King Archfiend is returned to Grant. Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-2 Life-4950 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** Grant weakly got up, groaning loudly, as if he was fighting something inside him. Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John stood offensively. “Here it comes…” said Alex. Grant threw his arms out, tilted his head up, and yelled, the purple aura covering his body. He then shifted his head back down, staring at his opponents with crazy eyes and an evil smile. “You should have heeded my warning,” Grant grunted, overcome with insanity. “Now, you’re going to feel a torrent of pain the likes of which you haven’t or will never experience again!” *************************************************** Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Foolish Burial, sending a monster from his deck to the graveyard. Next, he summons Snoww, Unlight of the Dark World (ATK: 1700 DEF: 0). Grant then special summons Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World by returning Snoww, Unlight of the Dark World to the hand (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). Grant then activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field, including Element of Harmony – Passion. Grant attacks Jade Wyvern with Chaos King Archfiend. Chaos King Archfiend’s effect activates (ATK: 2500 -> 2100, DEF: 2100 ->2500) (ATK: 2200 -> 1300, DEF: 1300 -> 2200) (ATK: 2500 -> 1500, DEF: 1500 -> 2500). Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 4950 -> 4450 Grant then attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World. Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 4450 -> 3050 Grant activates Dian Keto the Cure Master, gaining 1000 life points. Grant’s Life Points: 5000 -> 6000 Grant places two cards face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-1 Life-5000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2 *************************************************** “John! Alex!” shouted Pinkie Pie, watching as they both crumpled to the ground. Alex was able to get up, but John’s movements were much more labored. He was hardly able to lift his own body to his knees. Pinkie Pie’s eyes began to well up with tears, unable to cope with the pain her friends were going through. Her mane and tail began to fall straight one hair at a time as she whimpered. “Do you see why fighting me is futile?” asked Grant. “You can try and fight it all you want, but the darkness within me is here to stay!” Pinkie Pie’s eyes remained closed, until a bright light coming from her chest caused them to open. Upon seeing that both her element and the top of her deck was glowing, her sad frown slowly grew to a beaming smile, her mane returning to its curly state. “Are you serious?” shouted Grant. “Alright!” Pinkie Pie gleefully shouted, bouncing on her back hooves. “Now it’s a party!” *************************************************** Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie flip summons Worm King (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1100). Next, she equips Worm King with Element of Harmony – Laughter. Pinkie Pie activates Element of Harmony – Laughter’s effect, allowing her to special summon monsters in face-down defense position from her deck equal to the number of monsters her opponent controls (2). Pinkie Pie then flip summons both of her Worm Apocalypses (ATK: 300 DEF: 200). With their effects, Pinkie Pie can destroy one spell or trap card each, choosing both of Grant’s face down cards. Next, Pinkie Pie activates Worm King’s effect twice, tributing a Worm monster to destroy one card on the field, tributing both of her Worm Apocalypses to destroy both Chaos King Archfiend and Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World. Pinkie Pie attacks Grant directly with Worm King. Grant’s Life Points: 6000 -> 3300 Pinkie Pie places one card face down ends her turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-3050 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** Grant began convulsing on the ground. Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie gasped, unsure of what was happening to him. Grant then screamed louder than before, a black aura shooting high into the sky. Grant began to levitate off the ground until his body tilted until it was upright, allowing him to stand. Grant’s head and arms were hung low. “G– Grant?” asked Pinkie Pie, her voice filled with worry. Grant quickly tilted his head up, revealing that his eyes have become two black beads, like two little orbs of obsidian. His mouth was initially expressionless, until it cracked into a smile impossibly wide for a human. “Grant isn’t here, Mrs. Torrence,” spoke Grant, a darker, demonic voice sharing Grant’s normal voice. Alex and John were speechless over Grant’s transformation. Pinkie Pie was even at a loss for words. “You shouldn’t have pried,” Grant said in his dual-tone voice. “Now, Grant is nothing more than a shell for me to reside in.” Upon blinking, Grant’s eyes returned to their normal shade of brown. “Alex!” yelled Grant, his voice now completely normal. “Help!” Grant forced his eyes closed, and grimaced, all to the terror of all three of his opponents. “Looks like someone can’t handle the heat anymore,” spoke the possessed Grant, chuckling. “If you had just left well enough alone, he wouldn’t have to suffer. Now, his body is all mine, thanks to you and your Elements of Harmony!” “Not if I have anything to say about it, dolly eyes!” stated Pinkie Pie. “Let’s see…” *************************************************** Grant’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Disappear, banishing a card from Grant’s graveyard, choosing Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World. ================================================================================ “No!” shouted Grant, distraught over his ruined strategy. He then began to scowl and grit his teeth so hard that Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie could hear the rubbing all the way from where they stood. ================================================================================ Grant activates Dark Hole, destroying all monsters on the field. Grant then summons Snoww, Unlight of the Dark World. Grant attacks Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie directly with Snoww, Unlight of the Dark World. Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 3050 -> 1350 Grant ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-3300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** Despite being a lighter hit than the other times, the stress of his numerous hits began to take his toll on John. He lied motionless on his back, save for the breathing in his chest. “It’s okay,” giggled Grant. “You tried so hard to save your princess. But in the end, you failed. And now, unless you think you can carry on and continue fighting, you and your friends will perish under the completion of Rae’s plan!” “No,” grunted John, rolling to his stomach. “Alex is right.” John forced himself with all his might to a kneel. “I’ve come way too far for this thing to end like this.” With a heave, he was finally back on his feet. “The only time I’ll perish is when my life points hit 0. Until then, this duel is far from over.” Grant smirked, impressed by this young man’s strength. *************************************************** John’s Turn: John special summons Judgment Dragon from his hand, as he has four or more different Lightsworn monsters in his graveyard (Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner, Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior, Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid, and the discarded Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon) (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2600). John activates Judgment Dragon’s effect. By paying 1000 life points, John can destroy all other cards on the field. Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 1350 -> 350 John attacks Grant directly with Judgment Dragon. Grant’s Life Points: 3300 -> 300 During John’s end phases, because of Judgment Dragon’s effect, he must send the top four cards of his deck to the graveyard. John ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-350 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0 *************************************************** “Bastard…” grunted Grant, getting up. “Now I’m making it a promise that you won’t leave here alive!” *************************************************** Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Onyx Cerberus from his graveyard. Grant attacks Judgment Dragon with Onyx Cerberus. Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 350 -> 50 Grant ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0 *************************************************** “John!” shouted Alex. John was completely still. He wheezed loudly, fighting with all his might to fill his lungs with vital air. “That’s it,” grunted Alex, his own voice filled with increasing range. “This ends now!” “HAHAHAHA!” laughed Grant. “You still think you have a shot in saving me?” “I don’t know anymore,” said Alex, “but damn it all if I’m still not going to try.” *************************************************** Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400). Next, Alex tributes Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb to special summon Hieratic Dragon of Su (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1000). Alex activates Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb’s effect. When it’s tributed, Alex can special summon a normal Hieratic monster from his graveyard, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Alex overlays Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King and Hieratic Dragon of Su to xyz summon Hieratic Dragon King of Atum (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2100). Alex then activates his own Monster Reborn, special summoning Jade Wyvern from his graveyard. As his life points are below 500, Alex overlays Jade Wyvern and Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to xyz summon Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 2500). Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect. By detaching all xyz materials from it, Alex can reveal the top cards of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached, and Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect (4). The cards revealed are Dragon Ravine, Dragunity Militum, Immortal Dragon, and Dragunity Arma Leyvaten (ATK: 3500 -> 4000). Alex attacks Onyx Cerberus with Shining Platinum Dragon. Grant’s Life Points: 300 -> 0 Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John win. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Grant fell on his back to the ground. His chest suddenly shot up, arching his back almost to the point of snapping his spine. Grant yelled to the top of his lungs as a black card began to poke out of his chest and through his shirt. “Look!” yelled John, who managed to sit himself upright. As the card continued to inch out of him little by little, tiny purple sparks enveloped Grant’s chest, shocking him. “Grant!” screamed Alex, rushing to him. Grant shut his eyes as hard as he could, only to open them, back to their original brown color. Grant weakly reached towards his chest with his right hand and gripped the card with his fingers, the sparks covering the hand too. “Get… out… of my… BODY!!!” shouted Grant. With a forceful pull, Grant yanked the card from his chest, which flew into the sky before being absorbed by the dome. Grant, exhausted from the duel’s events, finally lied down on the ground, shutting his eyes. Alex slid to his knees and began shaking Grant. Pinkie Pie galloped to Grant’s side as well. “Grant!” shouted Alex. “Grant! Answer me!” Grant continued to be still until he coughed. Upon opening his eyes, he looked to see Alex and Pinkie Pie staring down at him. Pinkie Pie then gently tapped on his forehead with her hoof. “Hello!” she called. “Wakey wakey vanilla shakey!” “Alright!” exclaimed Grant, swatting Pinkie Pie’s hoof away, “I’m up! Jesus.” “Grant!” shouted Alex, relieved at his well being. “Alex,” Grant moaned lethargically. “You… you saved me!” “We,” said Alex. “We saved you.” “Hey, do you mind, uh… helping me up?” “Sure thing.” Alex pulled Grant to his feet and wrapped Grant’s arm around his shoulder, supporting him. “Pinkie Pie,” spoke Alex, “go get John. I can’t carry two people at once.” “Okie dokie lokie,” responded Pinkie Pie.