Turn 14: Defender of the Core Guardian

'''Yu-Gi-Oh! Infinity Hunter''' ARC 1 “Rising Star.”

Turn 14 “Defender of the Core Guardian.”

The crater of sand in the desert of the island Eonis was one large crater and you had to get a long way down before actually arriving in the center. A group of people, with Dr. Azura and Paul in tow were slowly walking down to the center. Dr. Azura was pointing out stuff on a laptop with a webcam pointed at the center.

In the center was one large rectangular stone. Around the stone some machines were placed with scanners placed around the crater. As the group approached the stone, one of the few men who were in the center of the crater near the stone with a mouth cap walked up to them. Dr. Azura and Paul were the first to reach him.

“Dr. Azura, Paul, good to see you both again.” The man was supporting an enormous moustache. He had brown hair and shakes their hands. “Could you please now put your mouth caps on? We are entering a possibly very dangerous area.”

Paul and Dr. Azura placed their mouth caps over their mouth and they follow the man down to the center, to the stone. As they approached the stone, the one thing that Paul noticed already was that there were two round gems placed on two places. Each one on one end of the stone. One gem was silver colored, the other one golden colored.

“What is this?” Paul asked Dr. Azura and she turned to him. “What do these gems mean, what does this stone mean?”

“This stone as you call it, we rather call it the Stone Table of the Ancients, is the representation of the two cosmic and universal powers that exists and hold the world and all dimensions around us in balance. The negative core – ” she pointed to the silver gem placed on the right and then pointed to the golden colored gem on the left. “ – and the positive core.”

“Very interesting, but what does that have to do with our area of expertise? I am an archeologist, not a researcher on cosmic influences or inter-dimensional portals or whatever they represent. I know of the past of our earth, and I am pretty sure there are more dimensions than the one we live in.” Paul though was interested in the stone and took a closer look at it, picking something from his pocket and scrubbed of a little bit of dust. “I’d like to take a sample, if I may.”

“Of course.”

Paul placed the little bit of sand and dust that came from the stone inside a little vase he held in his pocket. He then looked around the crater. He saw how the many instruments did not point anything into the direction of either negative or positive energy coming from the stone, they were steady.

“So what are the readings on the rest of island?”

“Normal,” Dr. Azura replied. She touched the stone as Paul walked around the stone. There were no unusual points at the stone, except for the two different colored gems placed on it. “There are no unusual patterns detected outside this crater. However if you would read the readings on ground energy patterns, you would find out that the tests we did, would show us skyrocketing results.”

“That means?”

“This island is from the ancient times, from before we originally thought Duel Monsters to exist. Before Pharaoh Atem and his kingdom fought Zorc and sealed the Shadow Games for 5,000 years.” Dr. Azura bend down and took a handful of sand from the crater, separating it from fresh air, by placing it in a sealed jar. “This island is a living being. I don’t understand how or why, but see it for yourself.”

Paul looked down to the point where Dr. Azura had grabbed a handful of sand. The hole made by her grab, slowly started to refill with new sand, however not from the sides of the place she grabbed, but from below the surface. It came up, creating a new spot of solid sand.

“That is amazing.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“It looks pretty easily. But that is not what it is all about. It is like the balance between those two gems, the positive and the negative, a part of life. A part of a life cycle on this earth. As long as they are in balance, the earth will be rotating positively and our lives won´t be changed and in jeopardy.” Dr. Azura tapped the stone and she walked away from it. “If the balance however becomes negative and the Silent Core gains the upper hand, we have a problem.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Has there been any incidents since the first discovery of this stone?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Not that I know off, some natural disasters destroyed the first three camps we had set up here, but that is all.” Dr. Azura pointed up to the edge of the crater. “Let me show you in my tent. Let’s go out of this crater and leave them to work.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As Dr. Azura and Paul left, both the golden and the silver gem glowed slightly, unnoticed by the surrounding people.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">---

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson – 4000 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 4000

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I’ll start with this duel.” Tyson draws a new card and smiles. “I declare Monster card.” He turned the card around he had just drawn. “Next I play  Double Summon<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> and summon both my Whirl Zephyr (800/600), the Omnicard turned monster card and Gale Synchronite – Whirl Raven (0/0).” The two dark green colored winged beasts appeared on his side of the field.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Ah the mechanic around which your whole deck evolves, Synchro Summoning.” Ian was not really impressed by Tyson`s play.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I tune in my Gale Synchronite – Whirl Raven with Whirl Zephyr! Clouds swerve past you when the storm rises. Appear through the eye! Synchro Summon! Arise, Silver Zephyroid!” Tyson chanted as both monsters disappeared through the Synchro gate. Moments later from the rings of the Synchro gate a new silvery winged beast appeared. “Next I activate this card, Door to the Other Side.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“So you are taking the chance that you may be banished into the Silent Core`s void yourself?” Ian commented on Tyson`s move. “That is the risky move you know?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Oh, I am perfectly aware of the risk I am taking with my strategy, but I know too what you are capable off. After all we have trained a lot.” Tyson commented back and he inserts two cards into his duel disk. “I set these two cards and end my turn.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“My move then,” Ian draws a new card from his deck. “I activate the spell card Guardian of the Triforce Crest, a continuous spell card that prevents me from summoning any monsters this turn.” A golden-white crest appeared at his side with three green jewels on it.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Ah yes, your Triforce Crest. I remember that card from our previous duels.” Tyson nodded and he looked at his own Silver Zephyroid. “I remember how you prevented my Silver Zephyroid from attacking you in the next turn.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I activate Core Mirror as well.” A secondary card flipped up on his side, revealing a silver mirror with seven gems around the edge. “Now since I cannot summon during this turn I will simply pass this turn to you, Tyson.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Very well, draw!” Tyson shifts a card from his deck. “At this moment my Gale Synchronite – Whirl Raven returns to the field. “Next I activate the effect from Gale Synchronite – Typhoon Wing (0/0) in my hand and summon it to the field since a Gale Synchronite monster successfully returned to the field.” A new bird appears, this one was sporting brown wings along her green body.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Another Synchronite. Weird in our last duel he only used one Synchronite monster,” Ian murmurs to himself. “Has he decided to go all out this time?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now I can still normal summon, which I use to summon  Bee List Soldier<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> (500/400) to the field.” An insect appeared on his side of the field. It had a forked staff and a yellow head. “Now first I tune in my Whirl Raven with my Silver Zephyroid! Talons spread as the lord of wind soars through the air! Appear through the eye! Synchro Summon! Gale Zephyroid!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As the new monster appears from the gate, it spread it`s wide wings, hovering far above the  Bee List Soldier<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> and Typhoon Wing. Its long talons were spread. Then Tyson raised his hand for the second time.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I tune in my Gale Synchronite – Typhoon Wing with  Bee List Soldier<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">! Clouds swerve past you when the storm rises. Appear through the eye! Synchro Summon! Arise, Silver Zephyroid!” The younger version of Gale Zephyroid appeared. “Now, I attack you with Gale Zephyroid! Silver Talon Strike!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 4000 -> 2200

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“And now for my second attack! Silver Zephyroid! Silver Trail!” Tyson orders as the silvery green winged beast attacks Ian as well, hitting him fully.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 2200 -> 800

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">‘ Not much has changed except for the fact that Tyson has summoned a second Zephyroid to the field.<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’ Kaito observes the duel. ‘ Is this Door to the Other Side the reason why those psychic duelists from the Aurora Remnant are so powerfull?<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I end my turn,” Tyson lowered his dueldisk eyeing his own two Zephyroid Synchro monsters. “By now you should realize I do not hold back even not against fellow Aurora Remnant members.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yes, I have seen that already.” Ian shifts a card from his deck and at that moment his Guardian of the Triforce Crest glows. “Now to activate my Guardian of the Triforce Crest. I can Special Summon 1 Core Guardian – Moonque (1300/800) to the field.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">A silver armored warrior appeared on his side of the field. The long blonde hair came from the top of the female warrior held by a band with a gem on it. The gem contained a silver moon. She had a long buster sword in her left hand and a big silver shield with a moon on it.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I did have to pay 500 lifepoints.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 800 -> 300

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Next I equip my Core Guardian – Moonque with Triforce Gauntlet. Now not only can she not be destroyed by battle, but I also gain half of the total damage I got this turn as lifepoints back.” Moonque raised her sword and pointed it at Ian.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 300 -> 450

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now I equip my Core Guardian – Moonque with Saber Form I – Sha Kun, which has a very special ability as well, but I’ll show you when the time is right. Next I set this card face down and end my turn.” A second card appeared face down next to Ian and Moonque`s buster sword was removed and replaced by a shorter but  Lightning Blade<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> with a golden color.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“My turn again and my Synchronites return to the field.” He was right as Whirl Raven and Typhoon Wing returned to his side of the field. “Now let me think. Oh right, I tune in my Gale Synchronite – Whirl Raven with my Gale Zephyroid! Lord of the sky, hear my cry! Appear from the Eye! Synchro Summon! Slicer Zephyroid!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">A rather bigger winged beast appeared on his side of the field with bigger and golden wings. It had a long tail going all the way down to the ground. Ian looked with awe as Tyson gloated over his just Synchro summoned monster.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Next I tune in my Typhoon Wing with my Silver Zephyroid! Talons spread as the lord of wind soars through the air! Appear through the eye! Synchro Summon! Gale Zephyroid!” Tyson chanted as the monster that had previously been used for Synchro Summoning Slicer Zephyroid now appeared again. “Next I activate my Sudden Storm spell card from my deck and equip it with my Slicer Zephyroid.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">‘ ''What is his plan? As far as I know Sudden Storm gives him no ability.''<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’ Kaito overlooked the duel and was secretly rooting for Ian to win this round. He did not know what chance he would stay if he fought Tyson. ‘ My deck is powerfull but can it match his deck?<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Sudden Storm as you may or may not know, allows my monster to activate one of his hidden abilities, Piercing Damage dealing in fact. Now I do not require that for my Slicer Zephyroid now, but if I remember correctly, your other monsters fighting under the Triforce Crest are more powerfull then Moonque.” Tyson teased Ian and he pointed at Moonque. “Even though it is not of much use now. Gale Zephyroid, attack his Core Guardian – Moonque!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 350 -> 250

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I set this card face down and end my turn.” Tyson laughed as Ian was frustrated a little since his Moonque has been destroyed. “Okay, I could have destroyed you already with Slicer Zephyroid, but I guess the fun is just beginning and we need the ritual to last a little longer.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“You have no idea what you are getting yourself into.” Ian draws a new card and looks at it as his face down card flipped up. “Reveal  Dian Keto the Cure Master<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, I gain 1000 lifepoints. Next I play  Upstart Goblin<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, allowing me to draw 1 card and you gain 1000 lifepoints.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson – 4000 -> 5000 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 250 -> 1250

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As the female warrior returned to the field, with the  Call Of The Haunted<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> trap card behind it. Ian smirked. “Since I still have a Triforce Gauntlet on my field, I cannot activate another one from my hand.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“You still have Moonque and Saber Form I on the field.” Tyson remarked. ‘ Weird I do not remember all two to be part of his deck during our last duel.<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Next I pay 500 lifepoints and summon Core Guardian – Tri Bounce (1600/1000)!” Ian reported as a new warrior in silver armor appeared on his side of the field. “All my monsters can attack directly, but battle damage must be halved. Attack, Tri Bounce and Moonque!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson – 5000 -> 3550 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 1250 -> 750

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">‘ Damn, I cannot use my face down card now.<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Next I equip my Tri Bounce with my Saber Form I – Gen Sho!” Ian`s male warrior gained two silver gauntlets at his arms. “This card allows me to select one card per turn and negate its effect until the end of the turn.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">‘ ''He has locked out my Door to the Other Side for the next turn. I am pretty sure that is what he is going for. He will not allow me to regain lifepoints due to my Door to the Other Side. Plus he knows I may have added Psychic cards to my deck to reinforce my monsters.''<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’ Tyson showed no sign of panic as he stayed calm. He simply tapped his duel disk and looked at the card he was holding.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“At the end of this turn I activate Guardian of the Sun Crest, a summoning card like Guardian of the Triforce Crest. But I require a higher price to summon Core Guardians fighting under the Sun Crest.” Ian smirked and he looked at Tyson. “I now end my turn.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“My turn!” Tyson draws his next card and he had to smile at the drawn card. “First my Whirl Raven and Typhoon Wing return to my side of the field. Then of course I tune in my Whirl Raven with my Slicer Zephyroid! When the sky darkens, the storm rises! Appear from the Eye! Synchro Summon! Rise, Rainbow Zephyroid (2600/2200)!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As Tyson chanted the previous Zephyroid disappeared along with the winged beast tuner into the Synchro gate and became only a flood of stars appearing around him. A new winged beast appeared, with wings with all colors of the rainbow. The rest of the body was green and had silver talons.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Of course my move is to lock down your Door with my Saber Form I – Gen Sho.” Tri Bounce raised its blade and slashed at the door, creating a scratch in it.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I re-equip my Rainbow Zephyroid with the Sudden Storm spell card, which means I can inflict piercing damage to you and make it immune to spell cards.” Tyson smirked as the winds started to blow harder. “Now Rainbow Zephyroid, destroy his Tri Bounce!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I send my Core Mirror to the graveyard and end the battle phase now!” Ian countered and Tyson was taken back a little. “You can’t get me out that easily, Tyson!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“We’ll see.” Tyson lowered his duel disk. “I tune in my Typhoon Wing with my Gale Zephyroid and bring forth another old friend! Lord of the sky, hear my cry! Appear from the Eye! Synchro Summon! Slicer Zephyroid!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As the familiar monster returned to the field (2200/1800), Ian was not taken aback by the move of Tyson. ‘ So he has stacked his extra deck with more then one copy of all of his cards.<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“It seems as I have no other choise but to end my turn now. You go, but choose wisely. Your next turn might very well be the last.” He laughed malevolent.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I draw and no, I am not done yet.” Ian picks a new card from his deck as he looks at it. ‘ ''Perfect for his strongest monsters, but not handy for now. I need my boss. Where is Tevez?''<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’ He pondered for a moment. “I pay 500 lifepoints and summon my Core Guardian – Besque (1100/2000) to the field.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 750 -> 250

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">A second male warrior appeared, this one holding two swords, with white gems encrusted on them. He had a large golden shield and various working tools at his belt. He put the sword in the sheath as he bend down on one knee in front of his master, Ian.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Next I initiate the very rare ability of Contact Fusion!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I thought it was supposed to be only limited to Neos-Spacians and Neos?” Kaito now wondered out loud, but silently enough for none of the people to hear him. “Or these Gladiator Beasts.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Core Guardians are the third species that can conduct Contact Fusion. Although instead of returning to the extra deck, the material monsters of a Core Guardian fusion get send back to the hand. Appear to me now, Core Guardian – Tri Moon Lancer (2500/1800)!” Ian ordered as the new warrior appeared. It was a male warrior, but a warrior with dirty long blonde hair. “Now by removing this spell card from the game I deal 500 points of damage to you!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson – 3550 -> 3050

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“You do realize I can regain the lifepoints partially since you also destroyed your Gen Sho Saber Form card?” Tyson mocked Ian and Ian nodded.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yeah, I have taken care of that.” Ian nodded and pointed to his opponent`s Slicer Zephyroid. “Tri Moon Lancer, destroy that Zephyroid!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Activate  Negate Attack<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">!” Tyson countered and the shield flipped over him, negating the attack. “You should have taken care of that card first, Ian.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I’ll do next turn.” Ian shrugged and looked at his hand. “By now my Core Guardian – Tri Moon Lancer returns to my Extra Deck and I end my turn with a face down.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson – 3050 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 250

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">---

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Blake and Lance pulled up in front of the Aurora Stadium`s main entrance. They got off first, before Yuni steps off as well. They look around, seeing no-one standing in front of the entrance and Blake does what anyone would do, which is walking to the main entrance.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Where is everybody?” Yuni asked her friends and Blake looked at her. “Where are the guards?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I am pretty sure there are inside,” Lance tried to see whether there was something inside the building. “But where are they? And on whose side are they? I mean if this is also the hideout of the Aurora Remnant, it is likely they have sworn their loyalty to them. We have to be on our guard.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Blake touched the doors and they automatically open. Blake takes a step inside and looks around. He was standing in the main hall of the Aurora Stadium, where everybody normally on a duel day comes in. The many stands are pushed aside against the wall, placing them out of sight.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“There is no-one here.” Lance picked a flashlight from his pocket, a mini one and clicked it on as he shines around. “Wait, I hear something in the distance.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Blake widened his eyes as he hears footsteps and he pulls Yuni behind a wall, hiding in the shadows along with Lance, who is able to click off his flashlight as he as well hides behind the wall, noticing a group of people entering the hall from a different direction.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“He is in the stadium, sir.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Blake peers around the corner of the wall and sees the familiar back of the head of Mr. O’Hare and Blake pulls away again and turns to his friends.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“That is Gillian`s father,” Blake whispered to Lance and Yuni and they nodded in affirmation that they had understand it. “Gillian`s father is in this too?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Has she dueled yet?” Mr. O’Hare asks the assistant that has informed him of someone in the stadium. “I wish to see my daughter duel in the process.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“No, she has not yet, sir.” The assistant taps on a virtual tab she was holding in her hands. “Mr. Denson reports that since the duel between Blake Connoly and Phantom Rider, the Ener-D signatures are off the chart.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Master Gakyru is entering the end phase of his plan. He has promised us the secrets of the Silent Core.” Mr. O’Hare stops to push the button on one of the elevators. “The Silent Core can influence the world bigger then what those idiots back in the first WRGP did in Neo Domino City. When Duel Tech reveals the new rules and cards for the upcoming WRGP in Neo Domino City, we can use our influence to built a new world business empire.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Blake shakes his head, seeing how the elevator doors closed. He slowly walked from behind the wall and looked around. He then signalled to Lance and Yuni that they could come out and they move on to the elevator, tapping the elevator button.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“So what do you expect to encounter once we are up?” Yuni questioned Blake.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“The worst thing that can happen is that we meet up with any of the masters,” Lance explained as they stepped inside the elevator. “Duel disks out just to be sure.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">--

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson – 3050 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 250

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“My turn,” Tyson picks a new card from his deck and both his Synchronites appeared in the air, above the Rainbow Zephyroid (2600/2200) and Slicer Zephyroid (2200/1800). “Next stop,  Chosen One<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">. A spell card that allows me to select 2 non monster cards in my hand and 1 monster card.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I choose that card – “ Ian points to one card, the third from the left. “I see what you are going to do. You have one last Level 10 monster waiting for me now don’t you? Another Starlight Zephyroid?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“You’ll see. But first you chose a monster card and the other two cards are send to the graveyard.” Tyson placed a monster card on the duel disk and discarded two cards into his graveyard. “Now this is my  Destruction Cyclone<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">. Now unless you do not want to lose all of your monsters already, you don’t attack it.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I know what  Destruction Cyclone<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> does.” Ian eyed the new monster on the field. “I’ll be sure to cover my tracks once you are bringing its doom onto me.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I now tune in my Whirl Raven with my Rainbow Zephyroid! The stars have awakened this ancient force and the storm it controls! Appear from the eye! Synchro Summon! Rise Starlight Zephyroid!” Tyson chanted as the new and huge winged beast appeared on his side of the field. (3000/2600). “Next of course my second Synchro summon! Tune in my Typhoon Wing with Slicer Zephyroid!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">‘ A level 8 and a level 10 monster on his field, I know he is strong, but can he pull off a second Starlight Zephyroid?<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’ Ian ponders as the Synchro Gate opens.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“When the sky darkens, the storm rises! Appear from the Eye! Synchro Summon! Rise, Rainbow Zephyroid!” Tyson chanted for the second time as from the second Synchro gate, the old Zephyroid returns to the field. “Now Starlight Zephyroid, attack and destroy him! Shooting Star Wing!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I remove my Core Gardna (0/0) from my hand from play to lower all battle damage to 0 this turn. That means I survive at least one more turn.” Ian smirked. “And I am allowed to draw 1 card for every Core Gardna residing in my deck.” He draws two cards.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">‘ He has two more of these blast things.<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’ Tyson looked at his hand. “I set this card face down and end my turn.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“My turn. I start off with  Mirage of Nightmare<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, allowing me to draw 4 cards. Next I set this card face down and then play Emergency Provisions<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">, giving up both  Emergency Provisions<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">,  Mirage of Nightmare<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> and the face down card I had to regain 3000 lifepoints.” Three cards from his field disappeared into his graveyard.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 250 -> 3250

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Next I pay 1000 lifepoints and remove a card from my hand from play and summon forth Core Guardian – Tevez!” Ian ordered as from the sky a new warrior descended onto earth. He has a long golden blade.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 3250 -> 2250

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now for its effect. When successfully summoned, I can deal you 500 points of damage per Core Guardian in my hand.” He holds up three cards, all revealing them to be Core Guardians. “You know them already. Besque, Tri Bounce and Moonque.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson – 3050 -> 1550

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“You may have been able to lower my lifepoints, but I am not defeaten yet,” Tyson threatens Ian and Ian smiles. He held his arm as he did feel the power of his Door to the Other Side, but as he has been trained too, he does not show fear or agony over the damage he has gotten from the duel.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I see your suffering,” Ian speaks to Tyson and Tyson looks him in the eyes. “I can see why you suffer, but do you realize for what you suffer? Don’t you see we are fighting at the wrong side of this fight? Don’t you see that it should be actually stopping Master Gakyru from releasing the powers of the Silent Core through the Sacred Temple Gate instead of aiding him?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Master Gakyru knows what he is doing. He has given me a purpose in life after I was abandoned by my friends, thrown away in the dark cellars of Security Jail. Master Gakyru saved me and in return I pledged my mind and soul to his teachings and. We soon will rule the world and cleanse humanity from all that poisons it.” Tyson taps his duel disk and Ian shakes his head.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Only a true dark psychic duelist thinks in black and white.” Ian shrugged and slammed a card in his duel disk. “I will do what I must. I equip my Core Guardian – Tevez with my Saber Form II – Ken Oa.” Tevez` blade was replaced by another golden blade which was longer and stronger. “Now I still can enter the battle phase, so go Tevez! Form II Blade Strike!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“No! Storm Front activate!” Tyson countered as his face down card flipped up and he smiled as a sudden wind blows back Core Guardian – Tevez. “I negate the attack and deal 500 points of damage to you.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 2250 -> 1750

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I end my turn with this card face down.” Ian lowered his duel disk eyeing his Guardian of the Sun Crest, Core Guardian – Tevez and Saber Form II – Ken Oa.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“My turn,” Tyson picks up a new card from his deck as he looks at it. “My Synchronites return to me.” Both Typhoon Wing and Whirl Raven return in a flash onto the field. “You could guess what is gonna happen, but no. You are not worthy to battle my strongest. My strongest is the one that only faces the strongest of duelists.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“What the heck are you talking about?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I mean I will unleash my second Level-10 form, but you will never see the Level-12`s in your life.” Tyson pointed to Typhoon Wing and Starlight Zephyroid. “Everything is set for the grand arrival! I tune in Typhoon Wing with Starlight Zephyroid! The stars have awakened this ancient force and the flaming  Inferno<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;"> it awakens! Appear from the Eye! Synchro Summon! Rise, Helios Zephyroid!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">From the Synchro gate a new magnificent looking winged beast, nearly a flaming bird, a phoenix, appeared. It had the green skin all Zephyroid monsters had, but it also had a very tight layer of armor around the wings and upper body, which was golden colored. The falcon head had a long mane that ran from below his body.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now since you have a face down card, I can unleash my Helios Zephyroid`s effect!” Tyson ordered as he pointed at the face down card. “Check it!” The card flipped up and revealed to be a trap card. “I deal 1200 points of damage to you!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 1750 -> 550

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Next I equip my Helios Zephyroid (3000/2600) with my Wing of the Rising Sun.” The wings glowed in artificial sunlight appearing from everywhere in the arena. “Now Helios Zephyroid, it is time to finish this! Triple Sun Decimation!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">As the winged beast became a fiery bird it starts to rise up into the air, out of reach for the Core Guardian defending Ian. The Core Guardian raised its blade as the fiery bird dives for its target.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 550 -> 50

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Thanks to Wing of the Rising Sun, Helios Zephyroid is able to attack all monsters on the field. Core Guardian – Tevez is toast!” Tyson pointed again to the brave Core Guardian. “And I do know that it stays on the field as long as its other brother of the Sun Crest is not summoned, but the duel is over anyway.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I would not be so sure of that.” Ian`s hand glowed and a card shot out into the duel disk and it flipped up. “You see when a Core Guardian is attacked for the second time, I can special summon Core Defender Mark I (500/1000) from my hand.” A spider-like machine appeared on his side of the field. It had a small laser cannon on top of it. “Your Battle Phase is ended.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I end my turn.” Tyson eyes his two magnificent winged beasts, both towering above the field, even entering the atmosphere as the head of the Helios Zephyroid comes above the stadium itself.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Now due to Core Defender Mark I, I must tribute it to special summon Core Defender Mark II (1000/1500) to the field.” The spider like machine was replaced by a bigger one. “Next I send my Moonque to the graveyard from my hand to increase my Tevez` attack power by half the send monster (ATK: 2500 -> 3150). Destroy his Starlight Zephyroid!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">The Core Guardian launched itself from the ground, driving his blade into the belly of the winged beast, destroying it. The Core Guardian then lands back on the ground, untouched and able to fight more.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson – 1550 -> 1400

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Next I play Gift of the Crests. Since I only have a face up Guardian of the Sun Crest, I can deal 300 points of damage to you!” Ian ordered as a gigantic crest appeared in front of him and shot Tyson. ‘ Come on, a little further.<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson – 1400 -> 1100

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson`s Door to the Other Side shakes as Tyson has lost lifepoints.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“You really think you are gonna win with these cards?” Tyson spotted and Ian smiled and nodded. “I’d say good luck, because there will be no next turn for you.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I end my turn.” Ian grabbed his shoulder again as he felt stitches and needles that were placed in it. Although not real, it felt like it. ‘ All I have to do is survive this round and then I have a decent chance of winning this duel.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Alright then,” Tyson draws his next card. “This will be the final move and this will mean the first round of the ritual has been fulfilled.” He pointed to his Synchronite monsters. “Luckily I do not need to use them to beat you, but I have Helios Zephyroid.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Come and get me.” Ian challenged.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Helios Zephyroid, attack him! Triple Sun Decimation!” Tyson ordered as the fiery bird dives into battle and attacks Core Guardian – Tevez.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">‘ Luckily for me – <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">’ Ian started thinking and ended speaking out loud. “ – my Core Guardian can negate the attack due to Core Defender Mark II.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Yes,” Tyson smirked as the Core Guardian and Core Defender were both blown up. “However by removing Wing of the Rising Sun from play I can negate that effect and gain 1000 lifepoints. You lose.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Tyson – 1100 -> 2100 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Ian – 50 -> 0

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“The first round has been completed,” Tyson spoke and he walked around the pitch, ignoring the crying of Ian, who cried for the many scratches and burn marks he gained thanks to Helios Zephyroid. “Now you will feel the wrath of us.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">The Door to the Other Side was still on the field and it slowly opened its door, with grey clouds grabbing Ian by the ankles and dragging him inside the Door, after which it closes and disappears.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“One down, two to go.” Tyson walked next to an empty container, however it was revealed soon to have Ian inside it, as it appeared out of nothing. “You are now serving a new purpose. On the brink of life and death, you are now balancing the powers of the Silent and the hidden Infinity Core enough for us to unleash the Silent Core. Now, who will be the next couple?”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">He then smirks and clicks with his fingers as two brutal men brought in a man. He had wounds around his head and arms and dirty brown hair this time. It was Justin. Tyson nods and then goes to the other side, dragging a female with him.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Of course, you two may deal with each other.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Justin wricked himself loose from the green clad man and looked around. Tyson however raised his hand and Justin was unable to move. The two brutal men grabbed Justin again and put him in shackles. He looked up to see who was the opponent. The female person opposite of him was none other then Gillian.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">--

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Master Gakyru was standing in front of the arch, the Sacred Temple Gate, as the silvery orb, the Silent Core was hovering inside it, holding itself steady. Gakyru was watching with interest as three gems were displayed on the arch. One of them started to shine.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“One sacrifice has been made, two more to go.” Gakyru waved around with his hand inside the Temple Gate. “Soon I will be able to gain the knowledge and the power of the Silent Core.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">--

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“I will not go down in this fight,” Justin slowly spoke and he attached himself with a duel disk handed by one of the men. “You may or may not resist, girl, but I intend to go full out. The law of the strongest counts here.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Good,” Gillian slowly answered, with a cold undertone in her voice. “I was not planning on holding back either.” They both shuffled their decks and inserted them into the duel disks, given to them.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“The rules are simple,” Tyson stepped in the middle of the battle field. “You each start with 4000 lifepoints. Who loses becomes a sacrifice to the Silent Core, who wins stays alive. Now let me see your best.”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">“Duel!”

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Gillian – 4000 <span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Justin – 4000

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">To be continued……..

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">RANDOM INFINITY HUNTER TRIVIA:

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Sofar this has been the most fun chapter to write. The Core Guardians originate from the TDDS Season 1, where a character called Mysterio used them in his battles against Darkness. Back then they were a simple group of no-cooperating cards. I have re-edited and revamped them and so they are back in Infinity Hunter!

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Also Gift of the Crests was Infinity Hunter`s 200th CAC already. Though you can expect less new CACs once the story gets rolling in future arcs.

<span style="color:rgb(225,228,242);font-family:verdana,geneva,lucida,'lucidagrande',arial,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:normal;text-align:left;">Well not much more to say, so I will see you for Turn 15!