Yugioh [817-819] (Patreon)

Chapter 817: Dream

In Kira's memory, the animated version of the Crystal Beasts didn't seem much different from the real cards—but seeing this now, clearly his memory was off.

The biggest difference is that in the anime, every single Crystal Beast card is limited to one copy—a physical 1-of. After all, each one was crafted from priceless treasures salvaged from sunken merchant ships; since they're one-of-a-kind, of course there can't be duplicates.

That impact is obviously huge. There are only seven Crystal Beasts in total, and early on Jesse doesn't even have Rainbow Dragon. That means his entire deck only has those seven Crystal Beast monsters to actually use.

Even if we consider the 40-card minimum, that's just seven monster cards in forty total.

And Jesse, with that Crystal Beast deck, fought through battle after battle—never once bricking, never once suffering a hand-dead situation in any duel. That alone proves just how deep his bond with the Crystal Beasts is.

Anyway, if you ported the character's deck straight into real life, this Crystal Beast deck wouldn't necessarily be any more consistent than Jaden's Elemental HEROes.

"Four Crystal Beasts on the field at once," Mokuba said. "Jesse Anderson really is using the Crystal Beast deck at will."

"But of course."

Pegasus folded his arms, smiling with approval.

"Jesse-boy's bond with his monsters is truly rare in this world."

"And because 'Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise' and 'Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle' were placed in the Spell/Trap Zone this turn, that makes two Crystal Beasts total.

Therefore, the Continuous Spell 'Crystal Tree'—gains two Crystal Counters!"

[Crystal Tree, Crystal Counters 0→2]

Two branches on the dark gemstone tree lit up with crystalline brilliance, like blossoms opening to reveal jeweled fruit.

"And 'Gravity Bind' failed to resolve, so the attack lock isn't in effect." Jesse chuckled. "Sorry, Mr. Kira, but I'm going all out.

Go! Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth, attack the set monster!"

The mammoth let out a roar, its charge shaking the ground in a storm of dust. Its trunk snapped like a whip, flipping Kira's set card to reveal the monster beneath.

A bizarre creature with Medusa-like writhing hair, frail-looking at a glance. But its reed-slim body held firm against the mammoth's charge—the giant elephant slammed into it like into a springy bamboo stalk.

The bamboo bent, absorbed the shock, then snapped back, bouncing the mammoth stumbling backward.

[Arcana Force 0 - The Fool, DEF 0]

"Good response, but unfortunate," Kira smiled. "My set monster is 'Arcana Force 0 - The Fool.'

The Fool cannot be destroyed by battle."

Mokuba blinked at The Fool, then instinctively looked up at the area above its head—only to find nothing there, which surprised him.

"Wait, I thought Arcana Force monsters spin their cards or flip a coin upon Summon to determine upright or reversed effects?
Why doesn't Kira's Arcana Force have anything above its head?"

President Pegasus, the father of Duel Monsters, explained patiently: "Because Arcana Force monsters only spin the card to determine upright/reversed on Normal, Special, or Flip Summon.

If it was set face-down and then flipped by an opponent's attack, that's neither a Normal, Special, nor Flip Summon."

"I see." Mokuba nodded, enlightened.

It was his first time realizing Arcana Force had such a quirk.

In other words, since The Fool was flipped by Jesse's attack, it has neither the positive upright effect nor the negative reversed effect—it only retains its inherent 'cannot be destroyed by battle' resilience. An undying cockroach, the ultimate shield.

It also functions as a kind of indirect attack lock.

"So it's a battle-immortal monster… Even if I summon more monsters, attacking is meaningless." Jesse said. "In that case, I'll end my Battle Phase.

But my turn isn't over."

He pulled a Spell from his backrow slot and held it up.

"The follow-up effect of the Continuous Spell 'Crystal Tree.'

Send this card with Crystal Counters to the Graveyard; then, based on the number of counters it had, place 'Crystal Beast' monsters from your Deck into your Spell/Trap Zone as Continuous Spells!"

He sent the Spell to the Grave. The strange tree burst into dazzling crimson light, wrapped itself in radiance, then dissolved into motes.

"It had two Crystal Counters when sent, so I'll place two Crystal Beast cards from my Deck into my backrow as Continuous Spells."

Jesse searched his Deck.

He took two monster cards, revealed them, and slotted them into the S/T Zone.

"Come!
Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle!

Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger!"

Blue and yellow gems flashed; the spectral forms of an eagle and a tiger flickered in the backrow, then quickly faded, leaving two crystals resting in Jesse's backfield.

"In just one turn, six of the seven Crystal Beasts are assembled." Kira nodded approvingly. "Strong offense, trap counters, and maintaining this level of efficiency. Impressive."

"Ahaha, not really."

Jesse scratched his head, embarrassed.

"If you say that, I'll get cocky."

Pegasus's lips quirked up: "Interesting. Jesse-boy understands his objective in this duel."

"Huh?" Mokuba looked over, puzzled.

"Legend has it the ultimate Rainbow Dragon appears only when the seven Crystal Beasts are gathered. Based on our inference of the summoning condition so far, to bring out Rainbow Dragon, all seven should be required."

"I get it!"

Mokuba looked again at Jesse's field, sparkling with gems and monsters.

"So that's why he's going all out to assemble as many as possible on turn one. Amazing..."

Jesse rubbed his nose, smiling.

"Good, we're basically there. Rainbow Dragon is my life's dream.

No matter what, I'm going to awaken Rainbow Dragon in this duel!"

Chapter 818: Fighting Is Hard

"No matter what, I'm going to awaken Rainbow Dragon in this duel!"

Jesse clenched his fists, brimming with fighting spirit.

"Nice eyes," Kira praised.

But then he narrowed his own, a playful glint appearing.

"However… will it really go that smoothly?"

The big-eyed spirit stared speechlessly at Kira's back.

It felt like the master had forgotten the point of attending this duel.
Weren't you here to kindle duel energy and develop the youth's potential to help awaken Rainbow Dragon?

Why do you look like you're here to be an obstacle?
But the hot-blooded Jesse wasn't cowed. "Oh? Then I'll look forward to it.

I set two cards and end my turn."

"My turn. Draw."

Kira drew and immediately played a Spell.

"Pot of Greed—draw two."

Then he slotted in another card.

"Continuous Spell: Messenger of Peace.

Face-up monsters with 1500 or more ATK cannot declare attacks."

Mokuba: "..."

Kira's taking stall to the extreme, huh?

But is this actually good for reviving Rainbow Dragon…
"I'll activate a set card." Jesse flipped his backrow. "Trap Card: Magic Drain!
When a Spell is activated, negate it and destroy it!"

He added, "But Mr. Kira can discard another Spell from his hand to negate Magic Drain's effect."

"I won't discard," Kira said.

"Great!" Jesse pumped a fist. "That invalidates Messenger of Peace—no attack lock!"

The holy light of Messenger had barely appeared before trap energy blew it to pieces.

"Impressive—both Gravity Bind and Messenger were cleared," Kira commended.

Jesse basked in it.

Until Kira revealed the next card.

"Then I activate the Continuous Spell 'Level Limit - Area B.' All Level 4 or higher monsters are forced into Defense Position."

Jesse: "..."

The smile vanished.

Even the always-composed President Pegasus twitched at the lips and shot Kira a side glance.

Did Kira-boy actually forget why he's here?
If there's no battle at all, how do you harvest duel energy, how do you awaken Rainbow Dragon?
"Well, I'm sure Kira knows what he's doing…"

Mokuba sounded unsure.

"...Probably."

"I set one card and end my turn."

Kira gestured politely.

"Then it's your turn again. Good luck."

Jesse: "..."

Uh, even if you say good luck, I can't even attack—how do I revive Rainbow Dragon…
"Looks a bit tough, Jesse," said Emerald Tortoise.

"Yeah," Jesse said. "But our bond won't give up so easily.

My turn—draw!"

He swept his arm; the backrow trap began to glow.

"Continuous Trap 'Crystal Conclave'—the other effect!" Jesse said. "Send this face-up card in your Spell/Trap Zone to the Graveyard, then target one of your 'Crystal Beast' cards in your S/T Zone and any other card on the field.

Return both targets to the hand!"

"I see," Kira nodded. "If you bounce it, then you can temporarily break the attack lock this turn."

Jesse said, "I'll return the 'Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger' in my S/T Zone and your Continuous Spell 'Level Limit - Area B' to the hand!"

The topaz gem flared, a white-furred tiger flashed and roared, then turned to golden light and flew back into Jesse's hand. Kira's Continuous Spell likewise returned.

"That clears the obstacles." Jesse said. "Then I Normal Summon the 'Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger' I just picked up!"

The king of beasts roared—Topaz returned, this time to the front row. The gem shattered and a fierce tiger emerged.

[Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger, ATK 1600]

"Then I switch Sapphire Pegasus and Amber Mammoth back to Attack Position!"

[Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus, ATK 1800]

[Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth, ATK 1700]

"And I equip 'Crystal Release' to 'Sapphire Pegasus'!" Jesse said. "Equip only to a Crystal Beast; the equipped monster gains 800 ATK!"

[Sapphire Pegasus, ATK 1800→2600]

"He's going for an all-out assault," Kira smiled. "So, you plan to decide the duel this turn while my Continuous Spell is bounced, huh?"

"Exactly!" Jesse said.

He'd realized that even landing a single attack on this opponent was rare—he had to seize the chance, or who knows when the next would come.

Time to go all in!
"But you didn't forget, right? Even if the Spell lock is gone, the monster lock remains."

Kira pointed at The Fool.

"Arcana Force 0 - The Fool can't be destroyed by battle. No matter how many monsters you bring, it's meaningless."

"Of course I know," Jesse said. "So I activate my set Trap, Crystal Raigeki: send a 'Crystal Beast' in your S/T Zone to the GY; target a card on the field and destroy it!"

Kira raised an eyebrow.

You've changed, Jesse.

What happened to the guy who said "I don't run any cards that directly destroy my opponent's monsters"?
He remembered Jesse saying he disliked using effects to snipe opposing monsters, preferring upright clashes—big monsters slugging it out.

Which is, well, the exact opposite of Kira.

But perhaps that's why Jesse chose to destroy The Fool and merely bounce 'Level Limit - Area B.'

Because his deck probably has more ways to remove Spells/Traps than monsters. If he failed to finish this turn, odds are better he'll draw a "Mystical Space Typhoon"-type card later to deal with Level Limit.

But if The Fool just gets bounced and Kira summons it again next turn, then facing an unkillable cockroach, Jesse may not have many answers.

"With that, the nuisances are gone!"

Jesse's momentum surged—he was impressed with himself.

Gravity Bind, Messenger of Peace, Level Limit - Area B, and an undying Fool…
He'd pushed through them all. It finally felt like he'd reached Kira.

No time to waste—win it this turn!

"Sapphire Pegasus—direct attack!"

But as the pegasus surged forward, Kira snapped his fingers.

"I activate my set Trap, 'Break Away.'

During your Battle Phase, I discard a Spell from my hand; end the Battle Phase, and all face-up monsters on the field have their effects negated until the end of the turn."

Jesse: "..."

Chapter 819: Decide Fate

"Trap Card—Break Away's effect: end this Battle Phase!"

The trap's wave slammed down, smothering the field. The charging Sapphire Pegasus crashed into a golden barrier of lightning, grunted, and was flung back.

The other Crystal Beasts, though not attacking, were pinned to the ground by the trap's pressure, sparks skittering across them like shackles holding them immobile.

"And the Spell I discarded was 'Card of Compensation'." Kira said lazily. "When this card is sent to the Graveyard, I draw two."

"Argh, seriously—can I still not break through!?"

Jesse clawed at his hair, further mussing his already duelist-chic style.

He'd been so confident he'd finally get to land a hit. But the Battle Phase had barely begun—he didn't even get his first attack declaration—before another iron wall popped up and the whole phase vanished.

It felt like foreplay went on forever, he finally got his chance to go all out, but just as he thrust in, he was interrupted and forced to hold back—a stifling, unsatisfied ache.

"Calm down, Jesse. Don't fall into his rhythm!"

Emerald Tortoise cautioned.

"Yeah, I know."

Jesse took a deep breath.

"My attack plan still had gaps—sorry, everyone.

I end my turn."

"My turn. Draw."

Kira drew, then revealed a Spell.

"I activate 'Smashing Ground.'

Destroy your face-up monster with the highest DEF."

"You'd destroy my beloved family?" Jesse frowned. "My highest DEF is 'Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise'..."

[Emerald Tortoise, DEF 2000]

"Then I'll destroy the tortoise."

Kira pointed at the green-shelled turtle with a slight hook of his finger.

The ground split with a long crack. The Emerald Tortoise lost its footing, fell in, and exploded in a fireball.

Of course, it immediately crystallized into an emerald and appeared in Jesse's backrow.

"Well, it didn't really matter which I broke," Kira smiled. "I just needed to open a Monster Zone."

Jesse: "?"

On my field? You sure about that?
"Then I activate the Spell 'Necro Sacrifice—Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard to your field to reduce Tribute requirements for my Tribute Summon." (Anime card)
He'd found the card left by Sartorius extremely useful.

At first glance it looks like a support Spell to reduce Tributes, but in practice, stuffing weird things onto the opponent's field is the real value.

There are similar "give the opponent a monster" cards in the real card pool—like Yusei's trap "Give and Take," which also puts your grave monsters onto the opponent's field.

He hadn't found that specific card yet—it might be from the Synchro era and not exist now. No matter; this "Necro Sacrifice" works similarly.

"So I'll Special Summon a monster from my GY to your field, reducing my Tribute by one. I choose…

'Arcana Force 0 - The Fool!'"

Jesse was stunned. "Huh? You're giving me that lock piece—the invincible monster?"

"Yes. Don't be shy, take it." Kira grinned. "And you can choose its battle position."

Jesse pondered two seconds. "Defense Position."

[Arcana Force 0 - The Fool, DEF 0]

"And because this is a Special Summon, not being set and flipped, The Fool must spin to determine upright or reversed."

Kira said.

The card spun on Jesse's field.

It stopped reversed.

"Looks like your luck isn't great," Kira smiled. "Reversed Fool can't be affected by your own card effects and can't be targeted by effects."

Jesse frowned.

"But I still choose its position," he said. "Even if my effects can't affect it, The Fool's still a sturdy shield."

"True… but it's not just a shield."

Kira smiled and revealed a monster from his hand.

"Thanks to 'Necro Sacrifice,' I can reduce the number of Tributes and Normal Summon a monster from my hand. I summon—

—Arcana Force XII - The Hanged Man!"

[Arcana Force XII - The Hanged Man, ATK 2200]

This Arcana didn't have a printed card in the anime, but it does exist in card power/later games like Duel Links.

"Arcana Force monsters spin on Summon to gain upright/reversed effects," Kira said, smiling.

"However, when The Fool is on the field, it has another effect: whenever the opponent would flip a coin, the opponent may choose the result.

And this baseline effect is independent of The Fool's own orientation.

In other words, as long as The Fool is on your field—upright or reversed—I can freely choose coin results."

Jesse: "!"

There's a trick like that?
He stared at The Fool on his own field, speechless.

"Indeed, The Fool meddles with fate. Unfortunately, the one who decides fate…

is its opponent."

Jesse: "..."

He stared at The Fool for a long moment, at a loss for words.

What he wanted to say was probably: you really are "The Fool," huh.
"Therefore, I choose the reversed effect for Arcana Force XII - The Hanged Man."

The card spun and landed reversed.

"Then I activate the Spell 'Cup of Ace.' Flip a coin: heads, I draw two; tails, you draw two."

Kira paused, then beamed.

"Of course, with The Fool out, we can skip the coin. I'll just draw two."

Jesse: "..."

Kira calmly drew two.

"Battle," Kira waved. "Arcana Force XII - The Hanged Man, attack 'Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth.'"

Green, tendril-like whips burst from the ground and bound the mammoth, shattering it with a boom.

[Jesse, LP 4000→3500]