Chapter 1204: Hope Passed On

"Lord of Phantasms Raviel, attack Red Dragon Archfiend!"

At Kira's command, Raviel raised its heavy fist once more. The blue-flame fist shot forward like a cannonball tearing through space, piercing straight through Red Dragon Archfiend's massive body, gouging a ghastly hole through it before it vanished with a mournful cry.

Of course, since it was in Defense Position, there was no battle damage.

Kira narrowed his eyes. "That's it for your partner. Looks like you've really burned out everything you had left."

"No! I'm not done!" Jack roared.

"Even if I've given my all, even if I have no cards left to play, I can still pass hope onwards!

I activate my set card—Trap Card 'Shadow Impulse'!"

Jack's set card flipped over, and the just-destroyed Red Dragon Archfiend floated in midair like a ghost.

"Shadow Impulse: When a Synchro Monster you control is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, you can Special Summon from your Extra Deck one Synchro Monster with the same Level and Type but a different card name, with its ATK becoming 0 and its effects negated!" (anime effect)

Incidentally, the real-life card is much stronger than its anime form. In the show, the summoned monster's effects are negated and it loses ATK. The real card keeps effects and ATK.

Of course, with today's standards, Shadow Impulse isn't that strong; it needs a Synchro monster to be destroyed, then summons one only if it matches Level and Type. No need to weaken it further.

Jack was breathing heavily, clearly having given his all and reaching his limits.

"Yusei, I'm leaving this effect to you," Jack said.

Yusei: "Jack..."

Jack: "Don't hesitate anymore! My deck is out of cards, and I have no more turns left. But if our friendship is strong, even if I fall, this bond can still pass hope on! Isn't that right?!"

Yusei fell silent for a few seconds, then took a deep breath, his eyes firming up.

"I understand. Then, I'll accept the effect of 'Shadow Impulse'. From my Extra Deck, I Special Summon a monster with the same Level and Type as the destroyed Red Dragon Archfiend!"

Outside the field, Luna and Leo muttered, "Red Dragon Archfiend is Level 8 and a Dragon-type. With the same Level and Type, that can only be—"

The twins looked at each other and cheered, "Stardust Dragon!"

Sure enough, they heard Yusei begin to chant, "Wishes gathered will become a new shining star—a radiant path of light! Synchro Summon!

Fly forth, Stardust Dragon!"

A dazzling storm of starlight erupted, thousands of silvery particles streaming out from the Synchro circle, weaving a path of stars behind Yusei. The air turned into a galactic vortex as Stardust Dragon burst forth in silver glory, each beat of its crystalline wings accompanied by the sparkle of diamond dust.

Of course, it was summoned in Defense Position.

[Stardust Dragon, DEF 2000]

"So that's it. Even if your soul falls, you link it to Yusei's ace—Stardust Dragon. This is your bond, your hope."

Kira narrowed his eyes.

"And, during this duel, 'Majestic Dragon' has already manifested, now resting in Jack's Graveyard. Next turn, Yusei can revive Majestic Dragon, use it with Stardust Dragon, and immediately Summon 'Majestic Star Dragon' for a chance to counterattack. That's your plan, isn't it?"

The three: "..."

Majestic Star Dragon was also an incarnation of the Red Dragon, created when Red Dragon's power passed to Yusei's Stardust Dragon. Like Majestic Red Dragon, it could stay on the field only one turn, but could instantly reverse the flow of any game.

"Nice plan. But will Stardust Dragon stay on the field long enough for that?"

Kira smirked.

"I discard 'Lord of Phantasms Raviel – Shimmering Scraper' from my hand and activate its effect!

This turn, my 'Lord of Phantasms Raviel' doubles in ATK, and it can attack all monsters your side controls once each!"

Lord of Phantasms's power surged, Raviel howled, blue flames blazing along its body.

[Lord of Phantasms Raviel, ATK 4000 → 8000]

But everyone knew, doubling the ATK wasn't the point—it was the multiple attacks.

Their opponent wasn't going to let Stardust Dragon survive!

"So, Raviel can attack consecutively this turn," Kira continued, "Lord of Phantasms Raviel, make a follow-up attack on 'Stardust Dragon'!"

The blow was overwhelming, an ocean of energy about to drown Stardust.

Jack: "Yusei!"

"I know!" Yusei shouted.

"Jack entrusted me with this hope—I won't let it go to waste!

I activate the effect of 'Shield Warrior' from my Graveyard!"

A tiny warrior with a shield appeared, kneeling between Stardust Dragon and the attack. The devastation pounded down on the warrior's shield, shattering it, yet he stubbornly held on.

Kira: "You just used a card sent to the Graveyard last turn?"

"That's right. I discarded Shield Warrior with Jack's 'Card Destruction' last turn," said Yusei. "When Shield Warrior's in the Graveyard, I can banish it to prevent a monster I control from being destroyed by battle!"

"Another show of bonds, nicely done." Kira reminded him, "But before your turn, it's still Crow's turn.

Can your Stardust Dragon survive until then?"

Kira smiled, and set a card face-down.

"I set a card and end my turn."

Crow gritted his teeth, "What, you think I'm just a drag on the team? Don't underestimate me!

My turn! Draw!"

"I activate the Spell Card 'Cards of Adversity'. If my opponent controls a Special Summoned monster while I have none, I draw two cards!"

Crow immediately set all three cards in his hand to his Duel Disk.

"Then, I set three cards and end my turn!"

"Just sets, huh."

Kira paused, then said,

"My turn. Draw."

"At this moment!" Crow called out. "Trap Card—'Thunder of Ruler'!

I can only activate this during my opponent's Standby Phase. This turn, my opponent cannot enter the Battle Phase!"

The Trap sent out an invisible wave, covering Kira's field and filling it with a sense of suppression.

"So you're going for defense, eh?"

Kira smiled.

"Everyone's working together to give Yusei the best shot. That's what this is about, isn't it?"

…