//------------------------------// // Chapter 28: The Fallen King - Rage of Jack Atlas! // Story: Dueling is Magic! Many Futures // by Wolfgang //------------------------------// Dueling is Magic! Many Futures Chapter 28 The Fallen King - Rage of Jack Atlas! /*********************\ Dark gray waves splashed along the pale shoreline. Twilight stood on the beach, staring at the featureless horizon. There was no color to the water, the sand, or herself. A light breeze brushed her mane back. She didn’t know how she got there. There were no hoofprints anywhere around her. She blinked and looked around. “Where am I?” she tried to ask, but no sound came out of her mouth. Her ears twitched as they picked up something on the wind. A word. A word she knew. A word she feared. “Darkness...” An enormous wave rose over the horizon. It was rushing toward her, but Twilight couldn’t move. Nothing held her there, but her legs refused to listen. She felt like she should be screaming. The wave was closer now. A shadow stirred inside. Glowing blue eyes flashed at her. “Darkness...” The crest of the wave now towered over her. The glowing eyes stared unblinkingly down at her. A thought flashed in her mind, a fleeting emotion made of despair and relief: Surrender. “Not this time,” she said. Again there was no sound. Her horn lit up and she shouted it. “Not this time!” The gray cracked. She heard herself. “Never again!” she yelled. The energy that surrounded her horn spread and covered her entire body. She rose into the air. The light spread from her body and the wave was pushed back. The shadow inside roared as the darkness was stripped from its body. She saw only light after that. ***** Twilight sat up with a gasp. The room was dimly lit by a small lamp on a faraway table. She squinted and looked around. “Where...” she started to say. Her throat was dry and she coughed. A sharp pain shot through her chest. “Twilight?” Twilight looked down. Spike was curled up next to her. He looked up at the unicorn. Then he grinned and jumped to his feet. “Twilight!” he shouted as he sprang up to hug her. She giggled, in spite of her throat. She coughed again after. Her chest hurt again. She remembered Fluttershy saying something about a broken rib. “Hang on,” said Spike. “I’ll get one of the nurses to bring you some water.” He hopped off the bed and ran to the door. “Close your eyes”, he said. “It’s gonna be bright.” Twilight nodded and shut her eyes. There was a click. When she opened her eyes, Spike was gone. Moments later, he returned with a human nurse in tow. She held a glass of water in her hand. “Miss Sparkle?” she said softly. “It’s good to see you awake. Don’t move around too much, just take it easy.” “How...” Twilight started to say. “Shh, don’t talk yet,” the nurse said. She held the back of Twilight’s head and held the glass to her mouth, tilting it slowly. Twilight’s hooves reached out to grab the glass. “Take it slow, Miss Sparkle. You don’t want to choke.” Twilight blinked and lowered her hooves. “You’ve been unconscious for almost a week,” said Spike. “Aporia really did a number on you.” “I guess,” said Twilight. Her throat was still scratchy, but not as bad as it had been moments ago. “I was pretty exhausted anyway. All that magic I’d been using...” “Perhaps you should take a break from using your, um... magic,” said the nurse. “I’m sorry, I just.. I still find it hard to believe.” “Magic?” Twilight asked. The nurse nodded. “That’s understandable, I suppose. From what I’ve seen here, no one in your world is really capable of magic.” “We’re not,” said the nurse. “Well, Miss Sparkle, you should try and get some more rest. I know you just woke up, but it’s late and you need proper sleep.” Twilight yawned. “See?” said the nurse with a chuckle. “Now go back to sleep, both of you.” With that, she left. Spike yawned and curled up next to Twilight again. “G’night, Twilight,” he said. “I’m glad you’re back.” “Me too, Spike,” she said with a yawn. She collapsed into the pillows behind her. “Me too.” Gentle blackness flooded her vision. A darkness that soothed rather than tormented. She welcomed it like an old friend. ***** “I feel silly,” said Twilight as she poked the dark film wrapped around her eyes. “I know, Twilight, but it’s a necessary thing,” Aki said. “You were out for several days. Your eyes won’t be used to bright light just yet. It’s a wonder you can still walk without help.” Twilight sighed. “I guess you’re right,” she said. “Come on, let’s go!” said Spike. “Everypony’ll be thrilled to see you out of bed!” Twilight nodded and the three of them left the examination room and headed for the cafeteria. It was only a few minutes before the reached the double doors. Twilight took a deep breath, then let it out. She pushed open one door with a hoof and stepped in. “SURPRISE!” came a roaring cheer. Humans clapped their hands loudly. Twilight’s friends ran up to her. The unicorn expected a tackle from Pinkie Pie, but the pink mare showed restraint and simply hugged her around the neck. “Oh, Twilight, we were so worried about you!” said Pinkie. “Glad to have ya back, Twi,” said Applejack. “How ya feelin’?” “Better, mostly,” Twilight answered. “Aki says I have to wear this thing to let my eyes readjust to light slowly. My head feels a little foggy too, but that’ll pass. Aki says I shouldn’t try to use magic for a while either.” “I don’t really know much about your physiology,” said Aki, “but using a lot of magic is what put this strain on you in the first place. Let’s wait for a while before we try anything.” “I agree,” said Twilight. She looked around. Streamers and balloons littered the ceiling, and a huge banner hung on the far wall over a table of snacks and drinks. It read, “Welcome back, Twilight!” “Did you guys put all this together for me?” Twilight asked. “Yep! It was Rarity’s idea, and Yeager and Leo and Luna helped put everything up. But it’s more than just about you waking up.” “It is?” Luna and Yeager walked over. “That’s right, Twilight. This is a celebration of our first major victory against the Dark Troopers,” said Luna. “Not only did we repel a sizable invasion force, and not only did you defeat Aporia singlehandedly in what was quite possibly the most hair-raising duel I’ve ever seen,” Yeager said, “but Applejack and Pinkie Pie helped us capture several Dark Troopers.” “Pinkie even figured out a way to keep ‘em from escapin’ through the shadows,” said Applejack. “We plan to interrogate them tomorrow,” Yeager continued. “If they know anything that can help us, we’ll get it out of them.” “And just how do you plan to do that?” came Jack’s voice. Yeager turned around and gazed almost straight up at his face. “By asking them politely? Maybe have Ushio show off his muscles? They’ll tell you nothing.” “And what makes you so sure of that, Jack Atlas?” Yeager asked. “The fact that you’re giving them time to rest and think of ways to dodge your questions, that’s what,” Jack spat. “Let me at them and I’ll get the information you want.” “Jack, you wouldn’t know where to begin with a line of questioning. Not only have you no experience in proper law enforcement, but your detective and information gathering skills leave much to be desired. You are a general in this movement, but not for either of those things. You are a tactician, a brilliant one at that.” “Then allow me to share with you my tactical advice,” Jack growled as he crossed his arms. He was wearing his Duel Disk. “Don’t go easy on those Dark Troopers. Interrogate them in force. On top of that, the enemy has been weakened. We know that Twilight can defeat Aporia by herself. Provided she’s willing to continue helping us, we can storm KaibaCorp. Tower and retake Momentum, and even capture the Black King!” “That is a foolhardy plan, Jack!” said Yeager. “We know nothing about the Black King’s true identity! For all we know, he could be a more powerful duelist than Yusei. In fact, what if he's the reason Yusei is gone at all? If that’s the case, then it wouldn’t be unwise to assume that he outclasses you.” “What did you say to me?!” “Okay, okay, cool it!” said Rainbow Dash as she flew between the two humans and pushed them apart with her front hooves. “Look, we’re all still a bit wound up from the invasion. But Pinkie and the others put a lot of effort into this party, so let’s unwind and enjoy ourselves, okay? Come on, Jack. Everyone needs a break from time to time. I bet the Black King’s running himself in circles over this.” Jack snorted and walked away. ***** Much of the music was unlike anything Twilight had ever heard before, though some of it resembled the tunes created by that DJ pony she saw from time to time at parties. She and Spike sat at one of the round tables and watched as Pinkie danced with Ushio. Twilight found the sight oddly funny. “We all missed you, Twilight,” said Spike. “Aki said she was doing everything she could to keep you in shape and hydrated, but she wasn’t sure if you would wake up.” “I’ll have to thank her for taking care of me then,” said the unicorn. “Wow... I never thought I’d have to fight this hard in my life.” “Me either.” “And this whole thing is just... strange. Really mysterious. There’s a lot we don’t know, and even what we do know just raises more questions.” “Like what?” “Well... we know the Black King has control of the city’s power source, but why does he want it? And what about your visions about Nightshroud and that card?” “The Numeron Code?” “Yes, that. Are they related to all of this somehow? If the being that showed you all of this is intelligent, then I don’t think it did so just to tell us the true nature of Duel Monsters. It helped get Rainbow Dash back to her old self, but that can’t be all there is to it. “And now that I think about it, something else is bugging me.” “What is it?” Spike asked. “Something that Aporia said. I didn’t even notice it the first time it happened. But thinking about it, it doesn’t make any sense.” “What did he say?” “My name. My full name.” “He must have heard Leo say it when you two went to the library,” Spike suggested. “But Leo only said my first name,” Twilight pointed out. “Aporia said it when Leo and I dueled him and Sherry. I didn't see it at first. But then he said it again when I dueled him alone, and that's when I picked up on it. No one said my full name around him. So how could Aporia know that my full name is Twilight Sparkle?” “Twilight, we can figure that out later,” said Spike. “Let’s just enjoy the party. You want some more punch?” Twilight sighed, then smiled. “Okay, Spike,” she said. “Cool! I’ll go get it.” Spike grabbed his and Twilight’s cups, then hopped out of his chair and jogged to the snack table. Twilight continued watching the party. Her friends came over and kept her company. Spike returned with the punch. Many of the humans also came over to thank her for fighting off Aporia. One of them even asked if she would look over her deck. Twilight smiled and said she would. As she did, Sherry LeBlanc sat down next to her. “Hello again, Twilight,” said the tall woman. “Sherry!” said Twilight. “I heard from Rainbow Dash that you and Ushio really cleared the streets of Dark Troopers.” “Zat we did,” said Sherry. “But what of you? As soon as we return, I hear you not only fought Aporia by yourself, but zat you won! And against his ‘Wisel’ cards, no less! I had practiced against him before and could never come close to beating zat Meklord Emperor, especially once it had attained Level Three.” “He got all of his parts up to Level Five,” said Twilight. “I’m not really sure how I survived that.” “Level Five?!” said Sherry. “But zat... you beat Wisel at Level Five?” “Yeah, I guess I did,” said Twilight with a smile. “I’ve never seen any of the Level Five ‘Wisel’ cards. Tell me, what were zey like? What did zey do?” “Well...” Twilight began to tell Sherry all she could remember about the Wisel monsters she faced. Sherry’s eyes widened with each new effect being described. Twilight stopped to take a deep breath. “Aporia turned the damage real during the game. I broke a rib.” “You will be fine if you take it easy,” Sherry told her. “I’ve broken my share of ribs in my life. Do not wrap it, take a deep breath every hour, and use painkillers when needed.” “Aki said the same thing,” said Twilight. Her horn started to light up. Pain stabbed at her behind her eyes and she cried out. “Twilight, don’t try to use magic,” said Fluttershy. “You’ve used too much as it is. You need to take a few days to give your mind rest.” “I should stay in practice-” “You’re in no condition to practice, Twilight,” Fluttershy interrupted. “Rainbow Dash wouldn’t practice her tricks if one of her wings was broken.” Twilight sighed. “You’re right.” She reached out with her front hooves and grasped the paper cup gently. “Should I help you with zat?” Sherry asked. “No, thanks,” Twilight said. “I can do it, it’s just been a while since I’ve had to.” Twilight lifted the cup... and crushed it, spraying juice everywhere. “Eh heh... oops,” she said. “I’ll go get you a ceramic mug,” said Pinkie, and she dashed off. Rarity levitated several napkins from the snack table and started mopping up the mess. “Tell me, Twilight,” said Sherry. “How did you defeat Wisel Infinity while it was fully upgraded?” “Well, each piece had its own flaw,” said Twilight. “His defense wasn’t perfect, and I took advantage of that. I had to work it out myself, but I figured that the Top couldn’t negate Spells and Traps in the same turn. Aporia used Wisel Attack Five’s effect to stop one of my Traps last turn after I used it to protect a Quick-Play Spell, ‘Double Cyclone’. I didn’t think he was trying to show off or be intimidating. So on the next turn, I decided to test my theory.” “Zat sounds like a very risky gamble, Twilight,” Sherry said. “It was. If I had been wrong, I would’ve lost for sure. But I wasn’t. I used a Trap and Aporia negated it. then I used a Spell that would let both of us draw more cards and he let it through. That’s when I knew how Wisel Top Five actually worked.” “What about zee Guard? You said it could intercept all of your attacks, and zat it could not be destroyed in battle.” “Negated its effect with a Spell,” Twilight answered simply. “I also destroyed Explosive Magician and got him out of the Meklord. After all of that, I summoned Supreme Arcanite Magician and used Diffusion Wave-Motion to attack all of Aporia’s monsters.” “Incredible,” said Sherry. “You are somezing else, Twilight.” “Thanks,” said Twilight. “Hey, where’s Pinkie Pie? I know she went to the kitchen, but she’s usually a lot faster than this.” Twilight looked around and spotted her pink friend coming towards her with a mug balanced carefully on her head. Rarity took the mug with her magic and set it down before Twilight. “Thanks, Rarity,” said Pinkie. “I don’t mean to be rude, but somepony- er, somebody isn’t enjoying the party. I’ll be right back!” She trotted off toward the doors that led out of the cafeteria. Jack was leaning against the wall, looking disgruntled as ever. “I don’t sink zis will end well,” said Sherry. ***** Parties. Worthless wastes of time and energy during a crisis. Jack leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, his face indignant. He’d about had enough and was ready to leave. Then Pinkie Pie approached him. “Hiya, Jackie!” she said. “Don’t call me that,” said Jack. “My name is Jack Atlas.” “Okay, Jack Atlas,” Pinkie said. Jack put his hand to his face. When he removed it and looked down, Pinkie was gone. She was now leaning against the wall next to him, in much the same way as him. “How are you... never mind. It’s not important.” Jack pushed off from the wall and began to walk away. “Jack, wait!” said Pinkie as she ran up to his side. “How come you’re so grouchy all the time? Twilight beat Aporia, she’s awake again, and everybody worked hard to keep those Dark Troopers from taking everyone away! We should celebrate!” “Celebrate?” Jack said as he continued to walk. He was heading for the kitchen. “We don’t have time to celebrate. The Black King is no doubt regrouping and preparing for another invasion. We need to take the fight to them!” “Jack, everypony needs some downtime. Come on, lighten up a little!” Pinkie said with a hop. “Pinkie Pie, give me one strategically sound reason why I should ‘lighten up’. Give me one good reason why this party is even necessary!” Jack demanded. Pinkie trotted ahead of him and walked in front of him... backwards. “To keep up morale!” she said. “Think about it. A lot of humans got hurt in that ambush. Then there was the invasion force. Everyone here is probably scared and tired. They don’t just need a break, Jack, they need something to lift their spirits. And that’s where I come in! You see this mark on my flank?” She turned sideways to show him, hopping along as she did. Then she turned around and fell back beside him. “It means I’m good at parties!” “You got a tattoo to let the world know that you can plan parties?” Jack said. “It’s not a tattoo, silly!” said Pinkie. “Whatever a tattoo is... it’s a Cutie mark!” “A what?” Jack said. “A Cutie mark. Ponies in my world get them when they discover what their special talent is,” Pinkie explained. “Mine’s throwing parties and making ponies smile! Rarity’s is finding gems and using them when she makes dresses. Applejack’s is taking care of her family’s apple farm. Fluttershy is really good with animals, so she takes care of the animals that live around Ponyville.” “What about Rainbow Dash?” Jack asked. “Hers means she loves speed, and that she can do a sonic rainboom!” “And Twilight Sparkle?” “That she’s REALLY good with magic!” “Then perhaps she should use it to gather some information on the Black King!” Jack said. “Jack, she can’t use magic right now. Her brain’s exhausted. If she tries, it hurts.” “That’s one more asset that we must do without then! She cannot help us in her condition.” “That’s what the party’s for, Jack. If she’s happy, she’ll get better a lot faster!” “You’re a fool.” Jack started to push open the door. Pinkie Pie stepped in his way. “Move,” he said. “Jack, the humans and Twilight aren’t the only ones who need this party,” Pinkie said. “You do too. You’ve been all wound up and you’re ready to snap.” “If I’m ready to snap, perhaps I should!” Jack roared. ***** Twilight heard Pinkie cry out. She looked over to the kitchen doors. She looked and saw her friend lying on the ground, rubbing her cheek. Jack’s hand was in the air. The room went silent. Jack glared at everyone. “Jack Atlas, how dare you!” Yeager shouted angrily as he marched over to Pinkie Pie. He knelt down and helped her to her feet. “Are you alright?” he asked. “Yeah,” Pinkie said slowly. “Yeah, I’m okay. I just... Jack... I...” Yeager stared daggers at Jack. “How dare you, sir! These girls have done nothing but help us in every way they can think to do so, and this is how you repay them? By striking the one whose only wish was to make us happy? To bring a smile to YOUR face, of all people!” Jack returned the sharp glare, but said nothing as he crossed his arms. “If you want to leave this party, then your wish is granted! I relieve you of duty and confine you to quarters!” Yeager continued. “Get out!” “You dare speak to the King that way?” Jack growled. “You’re not the King anymore, Jack,” Yeager replied. “I will not suffer such disrespect from a sniveling, cowardly little clown!” Jack shouted as his Duel Disk activated. “Yeager, I challenge you to a Duel! I will prove to you once and for all that I am the King!” “Then I accept, Jack!” Yeager pulled a golden Duel Disk from underneath his coat and strapped it to his arm. “DUEL!” Life Point Count Jack: 4000 Yeager: 4000 “My turn!” said Jack. “I summon ‘Power Breaker’ in Attack Mode. Your turn.” Power Breaker ATK/1900 LV 4 “I draw,” said Yeager. “First, I activate 'Upstart Goblin', which lets me draw one card, then increases your Life Points by one thousand. Next, I Special Summon ‘Jester Confit’ from my hand and Set four cards face-down. I also activate ‘Shard of Greed’. Your turn.” The monster that appeared on Yeager’s field was a short and fat court jester. The clown was balanced perfectly on a small red and white striped ball, and maintained its balance as it bowed to Jack. Jester Confit ATK/0 LV 1 “My turn,” said Jack as he drew a card. “By sending ‘Dark Resonator’ from my hand to the Graveyard, I Special Summon ‘Power Giant’ from my hand with its Level reduced by three.” A giant man made of multi-colored crystals emerged onto the field. Power Giant ATK/2200 LV 6 to LV3 “Next, I summon the Tuner Monster ‘Sinister Sprocket’ to the field.” Jack’s newest monster was a black sprocket atop a stem wrapped in chains. Empty, blue eyes glared from the top of the monster’s head. Sinister Sprocket ATK/400 LV 1 “I reveal the Continuous Trap ‘Tuning Barrer’,” said Yeager. “While there is a Tuner monster on your field or in your Graveyard, you cannot attack. However, this card is sent to the Graveyard during my third End Phase after it was activated.” “I have no patience for your antics, Yeager. Level One ‘Sinister Sprocket’ tunes with the Level Three ‘Power Giant’ and Level Four ‘Power Breaker’!” said Jack. The sprocket’s cable unwrapped itself from its body and lassoed Jack’s other two monsters. All three turned into orange outlines of themselves and their stars burst from their bodies. One star drew a green ring around the others as they moved into single file. “The pulse of the king now forms a line here!” Jack chanted. “Take witness to its creation-shaking power! I Synchro Summon my very soul, ‘Red Dragon Archfiend’!” A pillar of green light shot up from the ground and engulfed the stars. A dark shadow formed inside the pillar. Claws and wings stretched out of the light. Fire burned from the mouth of the dragon that emerged from within with a deafening roar. Red Dragon Archfiend ATK/3000 LV 8 “Whoa,” said Spike. “The last time I saw that dragon up close was when Paradox used it against Yusei.” Twilight heard a thud. She turned her head to the source of the noise. Fluttershy had fainted and fallen out of her seat. “Oh dear,” said Twilight. “Rarity, could you-?” “Of course,” said Rarity. “Fluttershy? Darling, wake up!” Fluttershy groaned and sat up. “Easy now,” said Rarity. “You fainted, probably because of that dreadful dragon that Jack summoned.” “It’s... it reminds me of...” Fluttershy squeaked. “I know, dear,” Rarity said. “But remember what Yusei told you: These are just pictures made of light. If you tried to touch it, your hoof would go right through it.” “I... I know...” “Maybe we should get you out of here,” Rarity suggested. “Come on, dear, let me help you up.” “Thank you, Rarity,” said Fluttershy, “but... I want to stay.” “Stay? But, Fluttershy, whatever for?” “Because Pinkie’s my friend too.” Rarity started to say something, but decided against it and nodded in agreement. They turned their attention back to the duel. “Sinister Sprocket’s effect activates!” said Jack. “When it’s used to Synchro Summon a DARK monster, I can destroy one Spell or Trap Card on the field. ‘Tuning Barrier’ is destroyed!” “I activate ‘Imperial Custom’,” said Yeager. “Continuous Traps I control other than ‘Imperial Custom’ cannot be destroyed.” Jack growled. “I Set one card face-down and end my turn.” “During your End Phase, Jester Confit’s effect activates,” said Yeager. “If it was Special Summoned by its own effect, I can return ‘Jester Confit’ and a monster you control to our hands.” The fat clown laughed as it did a backflip off of its ball. The ball shot forward and struck Red Dragon Archfiend in the chest. Both monsters vanished. “Since Red Dragon Archfiend was a Synchro Monster, it won’t go to Jack’s hand,” said Twilight. “What do you mean?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Fusion and Synchro Monsters don’t go to the hand or deck if they’re sent there. Instead, they get redirected to the Extra Deck. If Jack wants to use Red Dragon Archfiend again, he’ll have to perform another Synchro Summon.” “Maybe that’ll teach him not to be such a jerk,” said Applejack. “My turn,” said Yeager. The "Shard of Greed" card began to glow. “Each time I draw a card to start my turn, 'Shard of Greed' gains a Greed Counter. Now then, I summon ‘Jester Lord’ in Attack Mode!” Yeager’s monster was a tall, thin man wearing a strange outfit. The body was black and form-fitting, but the sleeves and legs were puffy, and colored blue and orange. A green and yellow cap sat on his head, a large feather waving atop it. The clown was juggling three red balls. Jester Lord ATK/0 LV 1 “Because Jester Lord is the only monster on the field, it gains one thousand Attack Points for each Spell and Trap Card in play,” Yeager said. The clown laughed as the number of balls it was juggling doubled. Jester Lord ATK/6000 LV 1 “Jester Lord, attack Jack directly!” /*********************\ Next time on Dueling is Magic! Many Futures The duel between Jack and Yeager continues as each one fights for control of the field! As each one attempts to hold off the other while they replenish their hands, Yeager sees that he is beginning to lose control. All the while, tears flow silently from Pinkie’s eyes... Chapter 29 Wrath of the King - “Demon Finisher!” /*********************\ Featured Card Jester Lord DARK Level 1 Spellcaster/Effect While this card is the only monster on the field, it gains 1000 ATK for each card in the Spell & Trap Card Zones. ATK/0 DEF/0