//------------------------------// // Turn 32: Mountainside Escape! Reunion // Story: Crossover Into Chaos // by dabestgamer //------------------------------// Applejack sprinted down the path along the mountainside with the saddlebag containing the card imprisoning her friend in tow, fleeing from her unicorn pursuers. She yelped as several magical blasts struck near her feet. “Cut it out, will ya?!” Applejack exclaimed. “Don’t let her escape!” said a unicorn mare. Another blast struck the wall to Applejack’s left, the rubble obstructing the path completely. “You honestly didn’t think you could get away, did you?” said the mare. Applejack frantically glimpsed down the cliff. “Here goes nothin’!” she said as she slid down. “After her!” The two Duel Runners continued along the path through the forest, their riders drawing five cards as they approached the mountain. DUEL! Yusei (LP 4000) VS Rudith (LP 4000) “It’s my turn!” Yusei declared, drawing a sixth card. “If I control no monsters, I can Special Summon Junk Forward from my hand!” Junk Forward LV: 3 DEF: 1500 “Next, I’ll Normal Summon the Tuner Monster Junk Synchron!” Junk Synchron LV: 3 ATK: 1300 “A Tuner Monster already, huh?” Rudith commented. “I tune Level 3 Junk Synchron with Level 3 Junk Forward!” Yusei continued. 3 + 3 = 6 “When wishes of steel gather round the messenger of the gale, that wish will become an invincible shield! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Come out, Junk Gardna!” Junk Gardna LV: 6 DEF: 2600 A large metallic warrior with two shields attached to its arms appeared at Yusei’s side. “I’ll Set two cards face-down and end my turn,” he concluded. “Then it’s my turn,” Rudith stated, drawing a card. Yusei LP: 4000 SPC: 0 + 1 = 1 Rudith LP: 4000 SPC: 0 + 1 = 1 “I Summon Runeagle!” A small bird, decorated with bright stones and glyphs descended above Rudith. Runeagle LV: 4 ATK: 1000 “When a “Rune” monster is Summoned, I can Special Summon the Tuner Monster Runetiger from my hand!” Runetiger LV: 4 ATK: 700 A tiger with an appearance much like the eagle’s began sprinting beside Rudith’s Duel Runner. “A Tuner Monster?” Yusei said. “He’s also going for a Synchro Summon on his first turn…” “I tune Level 4 Runetiger with Level 4 Runeagle!” 4 + 4 = 8 “Mystical guardian! Infused with your magical stones, let none surpass your mighty axe! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Runetaurus!” Runetaurus LV: 8 ATK: 2900 A large minotaur carrying a glowing axe appeared at Rudith’s side, glyphs all over its upper body. “Battle! Runetaurus, attack Junk Gardna!” he commanded. “I activate Junk Gardna’s effect!” Yusei declared. “Once per turn, I can change the Battle Position of a monster on the field!” The giant minotaur knelt down. Runetaurus LV: 8 DEF: 2600 “In that case, I activate Runetaurus’s effect,” Rudith continued. “Once per turn, I can Special Summon a “Rune” monster from my Graveyard, but it can’t attack this turn. Revive, Runeagle!” Runeagle LV: 4 DEF: 1000 “I Set three cards face-down and end my turn.” “Um, Spike? Are you sure we should be going this way?” asked Fluttershy. “Well, yeah!” Spike replied. “But Twilight said to—” “I can’t just let her go on her own!” “I-I mean, I’m sure she can handle herself, right? Let’s go back to Ponyville where it’s safe!” Fluttershy whimpered as she glanced at the trees surrounding them. “You’re not scared, are you?” “O-Of course I’m scared! Aren’t you?” “Why did I even bother asking?” Spike wondered. “Look, Fluttershy. If you wanna go back to Ponyville, go ahead. I won’t stop you.” “I-I’m not sure I should let you go by yourself.” “Relax, I can handle myself!” Spike continued forward once more. “Oh…” Fluttershy moaned, staying behind the dragon. “Eek!” She shrieked upon hearing some nearby bushes rustle. “What’s wrong?” “I-I don’t know. I heard something coming from the bushes.” Spike stared in the direction Fluttershy pointed. “I don’t see anything.” “B-but… Spike?” Fluttershy continued to follow the dragon. “It’s my turn!” Yusei stated. Yusei LP: 4000 SPC: 1 + 1 = 2 Rudith LP: 4000 SPC: 1 + 1 = 2 “All right!” he thought, glancing at his drawn card. “By sending a monster from my hand to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon Quickdraw Synchron!” Quickdraw Synchron LV: 5 DEF: 1400 “Now, because I control a Tuner Monster, I can Special Summon Quillbolt Hedgehog from my Graveyard!” Quillbolt Hedgehog LV: 2 DEF: 800 “I tune Level 5 Quickdraw Synchron with Level 2 Quillbolt Hedgehog!” 5 + 2 = 7 “Gathering anger becomes an entranced warrior born from a brutal god. Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Howl, Junk Berserker!” Junk Berserker LV: 7 ATK: 2700 A large, red centaur appeared next to Yusei. “Junk Berserker’s monster effect! By banishing a “Junk” monster from my Graveyard, I can lower your monster’s ATK equal to the banished monster’s ATK!” An image of Junk Forward appeared and quickly vanished into a vortex. Runetaurus LV: 8 ATK: 2900 – 900 = 2000 “Lowering my monster’s ATK?” Rudith grumbled. “Next, I activate Junk Gardna’s effect! I’ll have Runetaurus switch into Attack Position!” Yusei continued. “So that’s what you were aiming for,” thought Rudith. “Battle!” Yusei declared. “Junk Berserker, attack Runetaurus!” The centaur charged forward. “I activate the Trap Mystic Rune!” A large gem floated before Runetaurus and embedded itself to the minotaur’s chest. “What’s that?” “When a “Rune” monster is targeted for an attack, I can change that target to another monster I control! Naturally, I choose Runeagle!” Rudith’s winged creature moved to intercept the attack from Yusei’s Synchro Monster. Junk Berserker sliced through the eagle. “What?!” exclaimed Yusei. “When Runeagle is destroyed, I can Special Summon a “Rune” monster from my hand. Come! Runeant!” Runeant LV: 1 DEF: 300 “Mystic Rune also becomes an Equip Card for the monster you originally attacked and gives it 1000 ATK. While I have Mystic Rune, you cannot target the equipped monster for attacks or effects if I control at least one other monster.” Runetaurus LV: 8 ATK: 2000 + 1000 = 3000 “I end my turn,” Yusei scoffed. “My move,” Rudith continued. Yusei LP: 4000 SPC: 2 + 1 = 3 Rudith LP: 4000 SPC: 2 + 1 = 3 “I Summon Runegoblin!” Runegoblin LV: 2 ATK: 800 “I tune Level 1 Runeant with Level 2 Runegoblin!” 1 + 2 = 3 “Impregnable shield which deflects all enemies! Rise and become a great wall! Synchro Summon! Come, Runeaegis!” A large tortoise descended onto Rudith’s field in front of his minotaur. Runeaegis LV: 3 DEF: 1000 “When Runeant is used as Synchro Material for a “Rune” Synchro Monster, I draw one card. In addition, Runeaegis has the effect to negate an attack towards a “Rune” monster I control.” “So that monster will intercept two of my attacks each turn,” Yusei thought. “And even then… I still have to deal with his Runetaurus’s 3000 ATK…” “Runetaurus’s effect,” Rudith continued. “I’ll Special Summon Runeant once more.” Runeant LV: 1 DEF: 300 “Next, I activate the Continuous Trap Limit Reverse. This card Special Summons a monster from my Graveyard with 1000 ATK or less.” “Is he going for…?” Yusei wondered. “Revive! Runegoblin!” Rudith declared. Runegoblin LV: 2 ATK: 800 “Once again, I tune Level 1 Runeant with Level 2 Runegoblin!” 1 + 2 = 3 “Impregnable shield which deflects all enemies! Rise and become a great wall! Synchro Summon! Come, Runeaegis!” Another tortoise appeared beside Rudith. Runeaegis LV: 3 DEF: 1000 “But that means…” Yusei noticed. “That’s right,” Rudith stated. “With this defense, you’ll find it difficult to reach my Runetaurus.” Yusei scoffed. “With Runeant’s effect, I draw one more card.” Rudith glimpsed back towards his opponent. “Battle! Runetaurus, attack Junk Berserker!” His minotaur hacked through Yusei’s Synchro Monster. “I activate the Trap Card Spirit Force! I reduce the Battle Damage to 0, then I add a Warrior-Type Tuner Monster with 1500 ATK or less from my Graveyard to my hand!” Yusei promptly added the Junk Synchron card that popped out of his Graveyard slot into his hand. “But I still have Runetaurus’s other effect. When Runetaurus destroys a monster in battle, you take damage equal to its original ATK!” Yusei braced himself as the minotaur raised its axe. “That’s not all. I activate the Continuous Trap Rune Sheen. Once per turn, when a “Rune” monster destroys one of your monsters in battle, I can destroy another of your monsters!” “What?!” A blast shot out from Rudith’s newly activated Trap Card, obliterating Junk Gardna as Yusei was slashed by Runetaurus. Yusei LP: 4000 – 2700 = 1300 SPC: 3 The impact caused Yusei to briefly spin out. He glared forward at his opponent after he straightened out. “But I still have Junk Gardna’s other effect! If it’s sent to the Graveyard, I can switch the Battle Position of one of your monsters!” Yusei declared. “With Mystic Rune, I won’t be able to target his Runetaurus. In that case…” “Rune Sheen’s other effect,” Rudith interrupted. “During the turn this card is activated, all of my “Rune” monsters are unaffected by your monster effects.” Yusei scoffed. “That ends my turn,” Rudith concluded. “Rune monsters…” thought Yusei. “No doubt he’s got a powerful defense… but if I don’t break through soon, I’ll have no chance of winning.” The hooded unicorns continued down the path. “Didn’t she come this way?” said a stallion. “Keep looking! She has to be nearby!” replied a mare, motioning for the group to continue trotting. Applejack let out a deep exhale, leaning against the wall of a cave just beneath the passing unicorns. “That lot just don’t give up,” she commented, wiping her forehead. She poked her head out, her eyes catching the last of the unicorns turn one of the corners on the path. She then slowly crept down the path going the opposite direction. “There she is!” a voice yelled. “Aw, nuts,” Applejack began sprinting. “Shoulda waited a bit longer.” A burst of magic hurled the cowpony into the air, screaming. She opened her eyes to see herself and her hat suspended in mid-air. “What the hay?” She saw another burst of magic aimed at her. Closing her eyes, she braced herself only to feel nothing. When she opened her eyes again, she saw a familiar alicorn creating a magic shield. “TWILIGHT?!” she shouted, both with excitement and relief. “Get them!” a unicorn shouted. Another blast of magic collided with Twilight’s shield, creating an explosion. When the smoke cleared, the sky was empty. “Find them!” The two mares stood in the open field, breathing sighs of relief. “Are you okay, AJ?” Twilight asked. “Now that yer here, Ah’m better than oka—” Applejack replied. “Twilight?” Twilight held Applejack tightly. “I’m so glad you’re okay…” Applejack returned the embrace. “Likewise, but ah’m afraid that…” “What?” The cowpony reached into her saddlebag and revealed a card to her. Twilight lifted the card with her magic and examined it. “What is this?” she asked. “Where’s the other one?!” Applejack exclaimed. “Ah was sure I had two of them cards in mah saddlebag!” “Applejack, slow down! What cards!” “Right… ya weren’t here when it happened. After ya disappeared, these bozos captured us and trapped Fluttershy in a card… then just earlier… Rarity and Pinkie Pie…” “What about Rainbow Dash?” “She…” Applejack sniffled, holding her hat to her chest. “We got separated tryin’ to escape their base…” Twilight’s eyes began to tear up. “No…” “Dash had both Rarity’s and Pinkie’s card in this here saddlebag, but… ah must’ve dropped one of them somehow.” Applejack glanced back towards Canterlot, putting her hat back on. “We have to go back for them,” Twilight said. “How’re we supposed t’ find a couple of cards, though? Ah reckon it’ll be worse than tryin’ to find a couple of needles in a haystack!” “We have to find them.” Applejack noticed a strong sense of resolve in Twilight’s eyes. “Alright, but what about Fluttershy?” “No need to worry about her. At least not her being a card, anyway.” “What d’ya mean?” “That time when I disappeared, I’d been to another human world and I met someone named Yusei. He helped me rescue Fluttershy from one of them.” “These humans and this Yusei fella… did they happen to come from the same world?” “Yeah, why?” “Are ya sure you can trust him?” Twilight paused. “To be honest, I’m not entirely sure. I mean… he did a lot to help me from the very start, even before I first woke up in that world. I don’t particularly like his way of doing things, but he’s never meant any wrong.” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “So… where is Fluttershy?” “Back in Ponyville with Spike.” “Wait. Does that mean…?” “Yeah. We cleared out the Diamond Dogs and whatever humans were there.” Applejack sighed. “Well, that’s a relief. I guess that means mah family and friends there are safe. If anythin’ ever happened to them… so what do we do now, Twi?” Twilight placed the card back in the saddlebag. “I think we should go regroup with Yusei.” “But ah thought you said ya didn’t like the way he did things?” “I don’t,” Twilight sighed. “But still… right now, he’s chasing one of the humans that captured an innocent pony.” “Then what’re we waitin’ for?” Applejack said, running ahead with Twilight shortly behind. Yusei stared at the monsters before him. “This person, Rudith… he’s definitely a skilled Duelist. His field is almost untouchable,” he thought, placing his hand on his Deck. “My turn!” Yusei LP: 1300 SPC: 3 + 1 = 4 Rudith LP: 4000 SPC: 3 + 1 = 4 “If I’m to save that unicorn, my attacks have to reach that Runetaurus!” Yusei noted. “I activate the Speed Spell – Angel Baton! Since I have at least two Speed Counters, I draw two cards and discard one!” He placed his hand on his Deck once more. Rudith remained silent, patiently awaiting his opponent’s next move. “I’ll bet everything on this draw!” Yusei continued, drawing two cards. Upon glancing at the drawn cards, the image of a path of cards appeared in Yusei’s mind, connected by electricity. “That’s how I’ll do it!” “On with it,” said Rudith. “Since you control a monster and I control none, I can Special Summon the Tuner Monster Unknown Synchron from my hand!” declared Yusei, after discarding a card. Unknown Synchron LV: 1 DEF: 0 “Next, I Summon Junk Synchron!” Junk Synchron LV: 3 ATK: 1300 “When this card is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 2 or lower monster from my Graveyard! Come, Tuningware!” Tuningware LV: 1 DEF: 300 Yusei then grabbed the last card in his hand. “Now, since I control a “Junk” monster, I can Special Summon Junk Servant from my hand!” Junk Servant LV: 4 ATK: 1500 “I tune Level 3 Junk Synchron with Level 1 Tuningware and Level 4 Junk Servant!” continued Yusei. 3 + 1 + 4 = 8 “Clustering wishes will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Stardust Dragon!” Stardust Dragon LV: 8 ATK: 2500 “Stardust Dragon…” Rudith mumbled. “Tuningware’s effect activates!” Yusei declared. “When it’s used as Synchro Material, I draw one card! Next, I activate the Continuous Trap Graceful Revival! This card Special Summons a Level 2 or lower monster from my Graveyard! Return, Tuningware!” Tuningware LV: 1 ATK: 100 “I tune Level 1 Unknown Synchron with Level 1 Tuningware!” 1 + 1 = 2 “Gathering wishes will call out a new speed's horizon! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! The power of hope, Synchro Tuner, Formula Synchron!” Formula Synchron LV: 2 DEF: 1500 “When Formula Synchron is Synchro Summoned, I draw one card. Then, due to Tuningware’s effect, I draw one more!” “And just like that, he’s replaced the three cards that were in his hand earlier,” Rudith commented. He veered to the side as Yusei’s Duel Runner began to pick up speed. “No matter what, I will do what I can to protect both worlds and save my friends and Twilight’s! I won’t let you have your way! Clear Mind!” Yusei’s Runner appeared to be piercing a barrier as the full mark of the Crimson Dragon appeared before him. “I tune Level 2 Synchro Tuner Formula Synchron with Level 8 Synchro Monster Stardust Dragon!” 2 + 8 = 10 “Gathering crystal dreams will open the door to a new evolution! Become the path its light shines upon! Accel Synchro!” Yusei and his two monsters vanished into a bright light. Rudith quickly scanned the area, before noticing Yusei and a single dragon emerge from another light behind him. “Be born, Shooting Star Dragon!” Shooting Star Dragon LV: 10 ATK: 3300 “So it’s here. Your ace monster,” Rudith stated. “But that alone can’t break through my shields.” “Is that so?” Yusei replied. “What?” “I activate Shooting Star Dragon’s monster effect! Once per turn, I can excavate the top five cards of my Deck, then Shooting Star Dragon can attack once for each Tuner Monster revealed!” Rudith scoffed. Yusei pulled the top card off of his Deck. “The first card! Tuner Monster! Bri Synchron!” Silence. “The second card! Tuner Monster! Effect Veiler!” Rudith groaned. “The third card! Tuner Monster! Drill Synchron!” Rudith’s eye twitched. “The fourth card! Tuner Monster! Nitro Synchron!” “Don’t tell me…” Rudith grumbled. “And now for the fifth card! Tuner Monster! Debris Dragon!” “That’s absurd…” “I’ve revealed five Tuners! Therefore, I’ve got five attacks! Go, Shooting Star Dragon!” Yusei commanded. “Stardust Mirage!” His dragon rose into the sky splitting itself into five identical copies. “Uh, Twi? What’s that?” asked Applejack, pointing her hoof into the sky. “That’s…” Twilight responded, noticing five dragons in formation. “That dragon… Yusei!” The alicorn sprinted past the cowpony. “Wait… ‘Yusei’? I thought you said he was a human?!” “No, I meant that’s the direction where Yusei is! Let’s go!” “Alright, then.” The first of the five dragons charged towards one of the two tortoises. “Runeaegis’s effect! I’ll negate this attack!” Rudith declared. The first dragon faded as the second one moved forward. “I’ll use my other Runeaegis’s effect! This attack will be negated as well!” The second dragon vanished. “However, there’s still the third battle!” said Yusei. “I attack Runeaegis!” The third dragon slammed into one of the tortoises, causing an explosion. Neither remained when the smoke cleared. “The fourth battle! I’ll attack the remaining Runeaegis!” The fourth Shooting Star Dragon crashed into the last tortoise, with the same result as the previous attack. “My Runeaegises…” Rudith groaned. “With this, your ace monster has lost all its shields!” Yusei stated. “The fifth battle! Shooting Star Dragon, destroy Runetaurus!” His dragon pierced through the minotaur, vanquishing it along with the Mystic Rune card. 3300 – 3000 = 300 Rudith LP: 4000 – 300 = 3700 SPC: 4 “So this is Yusei Fudo’s power,” commented Rudith. Yusei pulled his Runner closer to his opponent. “Give up! Your ace monster is gone! Stop and let that unicorn go!” Rudith groaned. A sudden glow appeared from beneath his shirt, projecting a woman before him. “What is it, Celena?” “‘Celena’? Who is that?” Yusei wondered. “Wait! That woman!” Yusei’s and Twilight’s eyes widened as they saw the shadows in the pavement pierce through Celestia’s body, even though there didn’t appear to be physical damage. As the darkness faded into the ground, Celestia collapsed onto the Duel Lane as the pitch-black alicorn landed next to her. “And that’s one more princess for us,” Celena said, approaching the group. “Now for you two.” “I hate to interrupt such a tender moment, but the time for talk is over,” Celena said. “Now for the rest of you. Go! Death Armor Moon!” The armored alicorn rose into the air and charged towards Yusei and Twilight. “She’s the one who was controlling Princess Celestia’s sister!” Yusei realized. “Rudith, there’s been a sudden change of plans due to unforeseen circumstances. You now have a new objective,” said the woman on-screen. “And that would be…?” asked Rudith. “You have the stone and the card we gave you, right?” asked a unicorn stallion appearing in the projection, breathing heavily. “A unicorn? What is he doing working with the Arcadia Movement?” wondered Yusei. “Yes, I have them,” answered Rudith. “Normally, one of our elite members would be in charge of the task we are about to give you, but given the circumstances, we can’t afford to lose any of our targets,” Celena continued. “You are one of the few who might be able to measure up.” “You are now authorized to begin the ritual,” the stallion added. “And don’t die in the process.” “‘Ritual’?!” Yusei noted. “Roger,” Rudith replied, as the projection faded. Yusei looked at his opponent with curiosity. “Yusei Fudo,” Rudith said, glancing at the other rider with a smile. “Looks like I have a new mission. The ritual shall soon begin.”