Yu-Gi-Oh! 5Ds: Duelists Beyond Light

The core of the "Machine Emperor God Sky Infinite," suspended in mid-air, suddenly flashed an eerie red light. The metal tentacles, which had been limp and drooping under the Zero Wave, suddenly tensed like awakened venomous snakes. Tiny suction cups sprouted from the ends of the remaining hundreds of tentacles, and under the core's control, they lunged towards the incapacitated turbo warriors on the ground!
The Turbo Soldier's body was still twitching slightly, the light from its energy core flickering. Before it could react, dozens of tentacles, like flexible ropes, had already wrapped around its mechanical limbs, while the remaining tentacles surged in like a tide, firmly enveloping its entire body. The suction cups on the tentacles wriggled wildly, releasing a corrosive energy viscous liquid that dissolved the Turbo Soldier's armor!
The Machine Emperor Divine Sky Core emitted a blinding light, as surging energy converged wildly, forming a continuously spinning energy sphere. The space around the energy sphere distorted, and the terrifying aura it emitted caused even the rubble on the ground to levitate!

The Turbo Warrior's body rapidly disintegrated within the energy vortex, metal fragments intertwining with the light of the energy core, transforming into streams of scorching energy that were absorbed by the core!

The red light at the core of "Machine Emperor's Infinite Divine Sky" suddenly became incredibly intense. The previously faint light now shone like a small star, radiating a brilliance that was impossible to look directly at!
As the Turbo Soldier was completely absorbed, the core expanded in size, its surface displaying mechanical patterns similar to those of the Turbo Soldier. The remaining metal tentacles regained their vitality, becoming thicker and stronger, and the beam emitters at their ends lit up again, flashing with an even more dangerous light than before!
“Beep beep beep————————”

【Machine Emperor - Divine Sky, Attack Power: 4600→7100】

"attack!!!!"

With Luciano's command, the energy sphere transformed into a thick, dark purple ray, shooting towards Fudo Yusei with a force capable of tearing apart the heavens and earth. Wherever the ray passed, a deep trench was scorched into the ground, and the air was filled with a pungent, acrid smell. This ray contained power sufficient to instantly annihilate everything, as if it intended to wipe Fudo Yusei completely from the world.

"Now!!" Fudo Yusei's eyes shone brightly.

"What?!" Luciano frowned, his body trembling as he stood on the dueling skateboard.

"Trap Card activated!!" Yusei Fudo revealed the face-down card he had set up in the previous turn, "Zero Wave!!!"

"Target a monster on your field with zero attack power that originally had a non-zero attack power; this effect can only be activated when the opponent's monster declares an attack!!"

"Reduce the ATK of all monsters on your opponent's field to the original ATK of the targeted monster!!"

"After that, all monsters whose attack power has been reduced to zero due to this effect will be destroyed!!"

"The selected monster's attack power is increased by the sum of the original attack power of the destroyed monsters!!!"

The moment the card was activated, a silvery-white energy ripple suddenly appeared in the center of the duel arena. This ripple spread outwards like a stone thrown into a calm lake, and wherever it passed, all energy fluctuations seemed to be frozen!
The Annihilation Ray emitted from the top of the fifth form of the Machine Emperor Divine Sky abruptly stopped the moment it touched the ripples. The dark purple light dimmed at a visible speed, eventually turning into specks of light and dissipating into the air!
"It's... this kind of card?!" Before Luciano's exclamation could even finish, the true power of Zero Wave had already been revealed.

Cracks began to appear on the umbrella-shaped main body of the Machine Emperor God Sky. The top module on the right, which had evolved into its fifth form, was the first to emit a piercing metallic cracking sound. Rhomboid energy crystals shattered one after another, and sharp metal blades fell off like pieces of paper torn by a gale. The original top module on the left was not spared either; the energy conduits broke inch by inch amidst the fluctuations. The mechanical structure that had once supported the entire jellyfish form was crushed as if by an invisible, enormous force, with broken metal pieces constantly falling from mid-air. Hundreds of metal tentacles, deprived of their energy supply under the influence of the zero fluctuations, drooped limply, and the beam emitters at the ends of the tentacles completely extinguished!

"Tsk, but at that moment I activated the Trap Card—Machine Emperor's Powerful Voice!" Luciano gritted his teeth, "Increasing the attack power of Machine Emperor: Divine Sky: Infinite by 1000!!"

"Due to the Turbo Warrior equipment, the Machine Emperor - God Sky - Infinite's attack power is 3500. After decreasing by 2500, it still has 1000 left!!"

"My Machine Emperor - Divine Sky - Infinity will not be destroyed!!"

All the components that made up the mechanical jellyfish's body disintegrated and collapsed in the silvery-white energy ripples. Only the "Machine Emperor God Sky Infinite" core in the center of the umbrella-shaped main body remained suspended in mid-air, flickering with a faint light—the Zero Wave precisely avoided this core, destroying all the other components!
In the blink of an eye, the once overwhelming mechanical jellyfish form vanished completely, leaving only the solitary core in the arena, like a fragile crystal stripped of all its protection.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Stardust Dragon, which had been circling and waiting, suddenly let out a magnificent roar. The Machine Emperor components, damaged by the Zero Wave, released a massive amount of energy as they disintegrated. This energy transformed into streams of light, converging towards the Stardust Dragon as if guided!
The Stardust Dragon, which had previously possessed zero attack power, was now bathed in these energy streams. Its silvery-white scales shimmered with dazzling golden light, and the starlight on its wings intensified. The nebula around its neck churned violently, and its golden eyes blazed with immense power. As energy continued to pour in, the Stardust Dragon's body seemed to swell, and the oppressive aura emanating from it was now vastly different from before!

When the Stardust Dragon had absorbed the last stream of energy, its attack power had surpassed its limits, reaching an astonishing level. Each flap of its wings carried a power capable of shaking the heavens and earth. The Stardust Dragon looked up at the core of the "Machine Emperor Divine Sky Infinite" suspended in the air and let out a powerful and furious roar!
"roar----------------"

[Stardust Dragon, Attack Power: 0 → 7100]

"Is that what you're planning?" Luciano's lips curled into a smile. "What a troublesome fellow..."

"In that case, I'll change my tactics..."

"Activate the effect of High Speed ​​World 2, remove 7 SPC and draw 1 card from your deck!!"

"Set up a cover card!"

"End of round!!"

“Beep beep——————————————”

[Immovable Planet, SPC: 7→8]

[Luciano, SPC: 1→2]

"Now's the time, a great opportunity!! Yusei!!" Ryūya, who was watching the battle, shouted excitedly.

Now, the Machine Emperor God Sky is just an empty core, without any special abilities. Even when equipped with the Turbo Warrior, its attack power is only 1000.

Although Machine Emperor Sky Infinity is in Defense Position, Yusei Fudo can summon Stardust Dragon to attack directly if he summons just one monster!
"My turn! Draw!" Yusei Fudo declared loudly, "Attack Position Summon—High Speed ​​Warrior!!"

"This card's ATK is doubled during the turn it is summoned!!"

[High Speed ​​Warrior]

【Two stars】

[Wind Attribute/Warrior]

[Attack/Defense: 900/400]

“Beep beep beep——————————”

[High-Speed ​​Warrior, Attack Power: 900 → 1800]

"Enter battle phase!!" Yusei Fudo shouted. "High-Speed ​​Warrior! Attack Machine Emperor - Divine Sky Infinity!! Stardust Dragon!! Direct attack!!!"

A flash of light, and a lithe figure darted out!
The high-speed warrior has a streamlined body, covered in light blue armor, and its thrusters emit pale blue flames. It moves as fast as lightning!
The moment it appeared, it sensed the terrifying energy emanating from the core, yet showed no fear. Following the patterns on the rubble, it rushed towards the suspended core like a streak of blue light! "Heh..." The cunning Luciano chuckled cruelly, desperately flipping open his face-down card, "Trap Card activated—Emergency Deployment of the Machine King!!"

"This can only be activated when there is only one Machine Emperor Infinite Monster on my field!!"

"For every 800 LP paid, you can Special Summon one Level 2 or lower Machine Emperor monster from your Deck, hand, or Graveyard!!"

"I pay 3200 LP to Special Summon this card from my Deck and Graveyard!!"

"Three Emperor-class Machines - Divine Sky - Defense Division and one Emperor-class Machine - Divine Sky - Top!!"

"The Machine Emperor of the Three Defense Departments, Shinku, will undergo a mutation and take a new form!!"

"Machine Emperor - Divine Sky - Absolute Defense War Turtle!!!"

“Beep beep beep————————————”

[Luciano, LP: 4000→800]

His life points plummeted instantly, but his deck was stirred up as if by an invisible hand. Four cards were launched out and transformed into four machine gun parts in mid-air—three heavy defensive sections and a sharply angled top!
The three defensive components rapidly assembled in mid-air, metal plates interlocking and folding, forming a massive tortoise-shell-shaped defensive barrier in the blink of an eye. The surface of this shell was covered with hexagonal grooves, shimmering with a dark golden luster, and several sharp spikes extended from its edges, exuding an aura of indestructibility!

At the same time, the top component is embedded into the top of the turtle shell, perfectly integrated with the defensive components!
The moment the fortress tortoise took shape, its defenses activated immediately. The hexagonal grooves on its shell lit up simultaneously, and a pale golden energy shield enveloped its entire body. The high-speed warrior's fist slammed into the shield, but it was like throwing a stone into the sea; the wind blades vanished instantly, and he was even thrown back by the shield's recoil, sliding several meters across the ground!

The Stardust Dragon, which had been poised to attack, let out a deafening roar. The starlight around its body converged into a dazzling pillar of light, carrying a world-destroying momentum as it blasted towards the fortress cannon turtle!
This beam of light contained the immense energy it had absorbed earlier; wherever it passed, the air ignited, crackling and popping. However, the fortress's defenses activated once more. The massive shell snapped shut, completely enveloping the core, and the pale golden energy shield instantly increased in strength several times over. The Stardust Dragon's beam of light slammed into the shield, unleashing a blinding burst of light, and the shockwave spread outwards, sending large chunks of rock flying from the arena!

No matter how the beam of light struck, the shield remained unmoved, standing firm like an impregnable fortress. The energy of the beam gradually diminished with each strike, eventually dissipating completely. Stardust Dragon, gazing at the unscathed fortress tortoise, let out a defiant roar, circling in mid-air, awaiting its next opportunity!
"Three Machine Emperors - Defense Department, which means I can nullify three attacks in one turn!!" Luciano's eyes flashed with a hint of smugness. "Yusei Fudo, unless you can launch four attacks in one turn, you simply cannot break my defense!!"

"And in the next round..."

"Your Stardust Dragon will become the power of my Machine Emperor!!!"

"Tch!! Activate the effect of Burst Beast from my hand!!" Yusei Fudo gritted his teeth, "Send this card from my hand to the graveyard, and add Burst Mode from my deck to my hand!!"

"Put a card on it!!"

"End of round!!"

“Beep beep——————————————”

[Immovable Planet, SPC: 8→9]

[Luciano, SPC: 2→3]

"Heh heh heh~" Luciano chuckled, "Startled? My turn! Draw a card!"

"Activate the High-Speed ​​Spell Card - SP: High-Speed ​​Storm!"

"Activated only when SPC is greater than 3, dealing 1000 LP damage to the opponent!!"

"boom--------------"

"Beep beep beep beep——————"

[Immovable Star, LP: 4000 → 3000]

Luciano continued with a laugh: "Release Machine Emperor Sky Defense Department and Special Summon Machine Emperor Sky Defense Department Type III from my hand!!"

"Engine Emperor - Divine Sky - Infinite Effect!!"

Equip Stardust Dragon as an equipment card to yourself!!!

The chest opening at the top of the fortress cannon turtle revealed its core component—the Machine Emperor·Divine Sky·Infinite Light—which shone brightly, unleashing a powerful suction force from the opening!
These suction forces converged into visible streams of energy, like countless invisible ropes, coiling towards the Stardust Dragon. Sensing the danger, the Stardust Dragon flapped its wings violently, attempting to break free from the suction. However, the energy streams, like maggots clinging to a bone, frantically sucked away the starlight energy surrounding it once they touched its body!
A flicker of pain flashed in Stardust Dragon's golden eyes, and the light around it dimmed at a visible speed. Its attack power, which had surged due to absorbing energy, also began to slowly decline!

Just as Stardust Dragon's energy was about to be drained in large quantities, Yusei Fudo's eyes sharpened, and he quickly activated a card: "I activate the Trap Card - Burst Mode!"

"Evolve Stardust Dragon into a new form!!"

"Appear now!! Stardust Dragon - Burst Form!!!"

The moment the card was activated, a dazzling golden light burst forth from Stardust Dragon's body, forming a massive energy cocoon that completely enveloped the dragon!
The energy streams that were winding towards the Stardust Dragon melted instantly upon contact with the energy cocoon, like ice blocks scorched by high temperatures, unable to penetrate the golden barrier at all!

Stardust Dragon - Burst Form

【Ten stars】

[Wind Attribute/Dragon]

[Attack/Defense: 3000/2500] (End of Chapter)