"Phantom Demon Emperor Rabil, attack the Red Lotus Demon Dragon!"
Yugen's attack command was issued, and the Phantom Demon Emperor again raised its heavy fist. The blue flame-burning fist pierced through space like a missile, instantly creating a ghastly void in the massive body of the Red Lotus Demon Dragon, which then cried out as it turned to ashes.
Of course, it was in Defense Position, so there was no battle damage.
Yugen squinted: "Tamashi is gone, huh? Looks like you've really burned everything."
"No, it's not over!"
Jack roared.
"Even if I have burned everything, even if I have no more cards to play, I can still pass hope onward!
Activate the Cover Card, Trap Card 'Shadow Pulse'!"
Jack's backfield Cover Card flipped over, and the recently destroyed Red Lotus Demon Dragon floated in mid-air like a ghost due to this card's effect.
"Shadow Pulse: When a Synchro Monster on your field is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, you can select a Synchro Monster from your Extra Deck with the same Level and Race but a different name, with 0 Attack Power and negated effects, for a Special Summon!" (Original effect)
This card's physical version is remarkably stronger compared to its animated version. In the animation, monsters summoned through this card have negated effects and reduced Attack Power, but the physical card removes those downsides, keeping both the Attack Power and effects.
Of course, by modern standards, Shadow Pulse requires a Synchro Monster to be destroyed to activate, which is inherently inefficient. Adding to that the restriction that the summoned monster must have the same Star Level and Race as the destroyed monster, it's not very strong, and there's really no need for additional weakening limitations.
Jack breathed heavily; it seemed he indeed was at the end of his rope.
"Yusei, this effect... I leave it to you." Jack said.
Yusei: "Jack..."
Jack: "Stop hesitating! My Card Deck is empty; there's no next turn for me. But if we combine forces, then even if I fall, this bond can pass on hope, right!?"
Yusei was silent for several seconds, then took a deep breath, his eyes resolute once more.
"I understand. Then I accept the effect of 'Shadow Pulse' to Special Summon a monster from the Extra Deck with the same Star Level and Race as the destroyed Red Lotus Demon Dragon!"
Off the field, Leo murmured: "Red Lotus Demon Dragon is an Eight-Star Dragon Race monster, the same race and Star Level would be..."
Leo and Luna glanced at each other, and simultaneously exclaimed with joy: "Stardust Dragon!"
Indeed, Yusei began the chant: "The gathered wishes will turn into a newborn shining star, a radiant path! Synchro Summon!
Fly, Stardust Dragon!!!"
Boundless shining radiance, like a brilliant interstellar storm. Thousands of silver particles erupted from the center of the Synchro Aura, weaving a starlit path behind Yusei. The airflow turned into a galaxy-like vortex, as the elongated silver-white dragon body broke through the light, its scales reflecting a supernova explosion-like brilliance, and its crystal dragon wings vibrated with diamond dust-like stardust.
Of course, it was in Defense Position.
[Stardust Dragon, Defense Power 2000]
"I see, even if one's own soul falls, it connects to Yusei's ace, Stardust Dragon; this is your bond and hope."
Yugen squinted.
"And in this duel, the 'World-Saving Dragon' has already been printed and now rests in Jack's Graveyard. In Yusei's next turn, if he Revives the World-Saving Dragon from the Graveyard, along with Stardust Dragon, he can immediately transition to 'World-Saving Star Dragon', gaining another chance for a counterattack... Is that your strategy?"
The three remained silent: "..."
World-Saving Star Dragon, likewise an incarnation of the Red Dragon, is a form of Stardust Dragon evolved through the power the Red Dragon gave to Yusei. Although it can only exist on the field for one turn like the World-Saving Demon Dragon, it also possesses the ability to instantly turn the tide.
"Interesting idea, but will Stardust Dragon truly last until then?"
Yugen chuckled lightly.
"I discard 'Phantom Demon Emperor Rabil - Celestial Tyranny Fist' from my hand and activate its effect!
This turn, the Attack Power of 'Phantom Demon Emperor Rabil' on my field doubles, and it can attack each monster on your field once!"
The additional power of the Phantom Demon Emperor was unleashed again, Rabiel roared with momentum, its body seemingly set alight with blue flames.
[Phantom Demon Emperor Rabil, Attack Power 4000→Attack Power 8000]
But the few know that this time the opponent's true goal is not the doubled Attack Power; the focus is on multiple attacks.
The opponent doesn't plan to let them keep Stardust Dragon!
"Thus, Phantom Demon Emperor Rabil can conduct consecutive attacks this turn." Yugen said, "Phantom Demon Emperor Rabil, a follow-up attack on 'Stardust Dragon'!"
A mountain-crushing punch, its energy overwhelming enough to almost drown Stardust.
Jack: "Yusei!"
"I know!"
Yusei shouted.
"The hope Jack entrusted to me will never be in vain!
Activate the effect of 'Shield Warrior' from the Graveyard!"
A small warrior bearing a shield appeared from Yusei's Graveyard, crouched defensively in front of Stardust Dragon. The encompassing Celestial Tyranny Fist struck entirely on the warrior's shield. The warrior wobbled, its shield shattered and ragged, yet stubbornly blocked the attack.
Yugen: "The card sent to the Graveyard in the previous turn?"
"Indeed, sent to the Graveyard through Jack's 'Handwriting Erasure'." Yusei stated, "'Shield Warrior' while in the Graveyard, can be removed from play to prevent a monster on the field from being destroyed in battle once!"
"The power of bonds again, nice defense." Yugen remarked, "However, before it becomes your turn, there's still Clero's turn.
Will your Stardust Dragon last until then?"
Yugen smiled and set down a Cover Card.
"Set one card, ending the turn."
Clero gritted his teeth: "Are you implying that I'm just dragging the team down? Don't underestimate me!
My turn, Draw!"
"I also activate a Magic Card 'Adversity's Treasure Scroll'. When the opponent has Special Summoned monsters and I have none, I draw two cards!"
Clero directly inserted three cards into his Duel Disc.
"Then set three cards, ending the turn!"
"Only setting cards..."
Yugen pondered for a moment and said.
"My turn, Draw."
"At this moment!"
Clero immediately activated a Cover Card.
"Trap Card 'Overlord's Monopoly'!
This card can only be activated during the opponent's preparation phase. This turn, the opponent cannot proceed with the Battle Phase!"
The trap was activated; transparent wave-like oscillations spread across the field, sweeping over Yugen's field as if imposing an invisible restriction.
"Indeed, a defense-oriented card."
Yugen chuckled softly.
"Everyone uniting, all placing hope in Yusei's hands, is that the meaning?"