Yugioh [814-816] (Patreon)

Chapter 814: Information Loss

Kira took the tablet the researcher had just brought out of the lab, unlocked the screen, and glanced over the experimental data displayed there.

"Can you tell what kind of spirit this is?"

"Sorry, the data we've obtained so far is extremely limited," the researcher said regretfully.

"We've run all the standard tests, but it looks like the information on this card is hidden very deeply—or maybe it's already completely lost."

"Completely lost?"

Kira looked curiously at the blank card.

"So you're saying it's turned into a piece of junk?"

An eye suddenly appeared in the empty card art, looking annoyed. "Hey! I can hear you!"

But Kira didn't care, and spoke bluntly right in front of the party concerned.

"If it doesn't even have a card name or info, it can't be used in a duel. For a monster that can't get on the battlefield, isn't that exactly junk?"

The eye showed anger, but after a few seconds of fuming it quickly deflated.

"Hard to… argue with that."

"Have you ever seen a similar situation on other cards?" Kira asked.

The researcher looked troubled, propping his chin as he racked his memory for a while.

"This is… extremely rare. I don't think we have…"

But after frowning for a moment, he suddenly looked like a light bulb had gone off in his head.

"Ah, right—well, it's not the same situation, but there was something similar. And it involved our president."

"Oh?" Kira was surprised. "President Kaiba?"

Mokuba was stunned for a moment too, then reacted. "Don't tell me you mean the Light Dragon?"

"Yeah," the researcher said. "It was many years ago.

Back then the president, seeking the power to defeat his archrival Dark Yugi and the Three Egyptian Gods he commanded went to find Pegasus, the founder of Industrial Illusions, hoping to obtain power surpassing the Gods."

"That did happen," Mokuba nodded.

"On that occasion, the president received two cards from Pegasus. One wasn't crafted by Pegasus himself; it was a card secretly introduced by an ancient evil force to counter the Gods—'Pyramid of Light.'

The other was designed by Pegasus's own hand, what he called the ultimate Blue-Eyes that surpasses the Gods: 'Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon.'"

Kira nodded without interrupting. He knew this story from the DM movie, Pyramid of Light.

"After that, President Kaiba fought Yugi," the researcher continued. "During the battle, in order to destroy the Pyramid of Light and the evil power within it, the Shining Dragon was sacrificed."

This sacrifice wasn't just the tribute of a duel—it was the actual monster spirit being sacrificed.

After all, in the anime the Pyramid of Light was a god-tier trap that could even banish the three Gods. Yugi's attempts to destroy it through conventional means didn't work.

In the end, the Shining Dragon burned its soul, sacrificing its own existence to unleash its ultimate ability, Shining Nova, trading itself one-for-one with the Pyramid at the limit and perishing together with it.

After the pyramid vanished, Yugi was able to call back his ace, the Gods, and finished the duel in a single blow.

"After that, President Kaiba tried every method to bring the sacrificed Blue-Eyes back," the researcher said. "The deeper our research team dug, the more certain we became that the Shining Dragon had been completely sacrificed.

When a monster's spirit is sacrificed and even the card is reduced to ashes, there's no bringing it back. But President Kaiba disagreed. He firmly believed that the Shining Dragon still existed somewhere—just sleeping, waiting for him to awaken it."

"In the end he was proven right?" Kira said.

Because he already knew the result. In the finals of Domino City, when Kaiba Seto faced him, he once again summoned the Blue-Eyes Shining Dragon that was supposed to have disappeared. So Kira naturally knew in advance that Kaiba had succeeded.

"Yes. Because it's a monster on par with the Gods, our team paid unimaginable costs in money and resources in the attempt to recreate it," the researcher said, pushing up his glasses.

"At one point we thought we'd succeeded. We reproduced the Shining Dragon card exactly like the one the president received from Pegasus. The lab was already cheering, but President Kaiba quickly poured cold water on us."

He paused, as if mimicking Kaiba's tone at the time.

"It's nothing but an empty shell without a soul. What's there to celebrate?"

"An empty shell?" Kira asked.

The researcher nodded.

"Subsequent field tests proved the president was right. We only recreated a card that looked like the Shining Dragon, but it was no longer as powerful as before. The card lacked the pressure to rival the Gods—it was just an ordinary monster card.

And once the effect text manifested, we found even the monster effect was much weaker than before.

Originally, the Shining Dragon had the ability to 'freely choose whether to accept the effects of cards,' but the card we reproduced this time lacked that resistance and became 'negate the activation of effects of cards that target this card.'"

Kira: "…"

So it became a printed card, huh?

"Let me guess—did that Shining Dragon also lack the Shining Nova ability?"

Shining Nova is the Shining Dragon's ability to tribute itself to destroy any card on the field.

"Huh? How did you know?" The researcher was surprised.

Kira: "…"

Yup, a neutered TCG version, no doubt.

"But when I faced him, the president's Shining Dragon had already recovered its peak form," Kira said.

"Yes. Because President Kaiba Seto then took that Shining Dragon to the Spirit World," the researcher said. "We don't know exactly what happened, but when he returned, the Shining Dragon's spirit had been recovered."

He paused and glanced at the card in Kira's hand.

"Thinking about it now, the Shining Dragon card we recreated then is somewhat similar to the state of this spirit now—the card's information has been lost.

It's just that this time the spirit's condition is much worse. We've only managed to excavate a tiny bit of information…"

The eye in the card art put on a smug face. "So that means I must have been an incredible monster before!"

But right after, the researcher said, "At present the only thing we can confirm is that this card's original ATK was 0."

The eye, proud a second ago, immediately wilted.

"W-What!? Impossible—your instruments must be wrong!"

Kira said nothing and quietly put the card away.

"By the way, you said you had something important to talk to me about today?"

Putting away the card, Kira looked at Mokuba.

"Oh, right. Industrial Illusions has a project and specifically requested you," Mokuba said, then added mysteriously, "Have you heard of Crystal Beasts?"

Chapter 815: Rainbow Ruins

An ancient cavern, where temporary light towers and spotlights intertwined into islands of light, illuminating the center.

High-end archaeological equipment had been set up: 3D scanners, ground-penetrating radar, environmental control systems, and precise artifact conservation tools. Archaeologists in matching protective suits hurried back and forth in the cave, clustered around a massive stone slab not yet fully revealed.

A helicopter landed on the outer perimeter. Kira followed behind Mokuba, stepping off and heading toward the dig site.

"Welcome, Kira Boy~"

Pegasus, in his red suit, came forward with open arms as if to give him a hug.

"Looks like President Pegasus has recovered well."

Smiling, Kira reached out to shake hands.

"Thanks to you, Kira Boy," Pegasus said with a smile. "With the Light of Destruction purged, I was able to recover so quickly."

He sighed.

"Time really does catch up to you. Now I can really feel it's time to retire. This new era truly belongs to you youngsters…"

"You flatter me, President. You're still a towering figure in the dueling world."

After a few pleasantries, they walked inward together. At the same time, Kira got to the point.

"Crystal Beasts?"

"Indeed, Kira Boy," Pegasus said. "I imagine Mokuba Boy has already told you the story of the gems?"

"An ancient nation that believed in the power of gemstones obtained the seven finest gems in the world," Kira said. "From the mysterious power within those seven gems, a monster was born from each, and from that came a unique, one-of-a-kind deck."

"More or less," Pegasus added. "In fact, that nation was the ancient Roman Empire. And that emperor was the famous Julius Caesar.

Caesar discovered the incredible power of those gems and sought to craft the finest monster tablets in the world from the seven gems, as proof of Rome's dominion over the earth."

"But his plan failed, right?" Mokuba chimed in.

"The ship transporting the seven gems encountered a storm and sank. Later, Industrial Illusions salvaged the seven gems, and I personally used their power to create seven gemstone spirits—the one-of-a-kind Crystal Beasts."

"Correct," Pegasus said. "But the true power of the gems has never been unleashed. For years we never stopped searching, and only now have we found the fabled slab that unites the power of the seven gems—a slab that hides a godlike power…"

As they spoke, they reached the depths of the cave, and the massive stone slab came into view.

"That is the ultimate Gem God, Rainbow Dragon!"

Pegasus spread his arms, eyes filled with longing.

It was the excitement of a top designer facing a defining challenge in his career.

"So this is Rainbow Dragon."

Kira walked to the front of the slab and looked up. Most of it was still embedded in the ruins, and even the exposed parts were shrouded in dust, hiding its original appearance.

"Then I suppose the boy who holds the gems," Kira said, "is already here too?"

"Indeed," Pegasus smiled. "Jesse Anderson—he's an extraordinary boy. In fact, he reminds me a bit of Jaden Yuki from Duel Academy.

Their unusual passion for dueling and their bonds with monster spirits are unique even on a global scale… In truth, it wasn't my decision to let Jesse Boy wield the Crystal Beasts—the deck chose him."

This was also explained in the anime.

Pegasus had merely attended a public duel event, carrying the Crystal Beast deck on him.

Unexpectedly, the moment Jesse Anderson took the stage, the Crystal Beast spirits Pegasus carried became excited and immediately told Pegasus: he's the one.

This boy is our Crystal Beast chosen one.

At the spirits' request, Pegasus gifted the priceless deck to Jesse free of charge.

Jesse and the Crystal Beasts may be the only duelists in GX—or even in all of Yu-Gi-Oh—whose bond can surpass the main cast's. He and the Beasts are more than life-and-death comrades; they're like family.

"I've already sent people to pick up Jesse Boy. He should be here any—"

Before Pegasus could finish, excited shouting echoed in the cave.

"Mr. Kira! The real Mr. Kira!"

Kira turned and saw a green-haired boy sprinting toward him in excitement, nearly failing to stop and crashing into his arms.

"N-Nice to meet you!"

He straightened up quickly, a little embarrassed.

"I'm Jesse Anderson," the boy said, scratching the back of his head. "I can't believe I'm actually seeing the Duel King in person. Feels like a dream…"

Pegasus patted his shoulder with a smile. "Don't get too excited, Jesse Boy. Because next, you'll have a chance to duel the King yourself."

Kira had heard from Mokuba beforehand; that was precisely why he had come.

The Rainbow Dragon within the slab had slept too long. Only by gathering the seven gems could it be awakened. Pegasus believed that only by having Jesse and his Crystal Beasts personally take the field—and by pushing themselves to the limit in a high-intensity duel—would there be a chance to revive Rainbow Dragon.

And as the Duel King, Kira, invited specifically to be Jesse's opponent, bore the title of the strongest of the era.

"In that case, since everyone's here, let's start right away," Kira said.

"I'm ready!" Jesse nimbly hopped to the opposite side. Kira also stepped back a few paces to open up space.

The two stood on either side of the stone slab. Kira glanced at Pegasus, who had stepped aside.

"Right here is fine, President Pegasus?"

"No problem," Pegasus said, arms folded, intrigued. "Jesse Boy with his invincible bond to the Crystal Beasts, and Kira Boy, the supreme King of the dueling world—what kind of sparks will fly… I can't wait."

"Is that so?" Mokuba mused, then said meaningfully, "Hmm… I don't doubt Kira's potential at all, but for some reason, I don't feel like he's the best at drawing out another duelist's potential…"

"Oh?" Pegasus raised an eyebrow.

On the field, the two had already activated their duel disks.

"Duel!" x2
[Kira, LP 4000]
[Jesse, LP 4000]

"Then I won't be polite about taking the first move, Mr. Kira!" Jesse said excitedly.

"My turn! Draw!"

He slapped a monster from his hand onto the duel disk horizontally.

"I Normal Summon this guy. Come forth!
Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise, in Defense Position!"

The ancient turtle answered the summon, quietly settling onto the field. Its whole body was green, and crystalline jade grew from its heavy shell, lustrous as emerald.

[Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise, DEF 2000]

After landing, the turtle peeked ahead, narrowed its eyes, and actually spoke. "Looks like we've got a formidable opponent today, Jesse."

"Hahaha, yeah—it really is like a dream, getting to battle the Duel King… We've got to put on a great performance," Jesse said, then set two cards. "I set two cards and end my turn!"

Chapter 816: Crystal Beasts

"Alright, my turn's over. It's your move, Mr. Kira," Jesse said, face full of excitement.

"I've heard the Duel King uses all kinds of decks. What approach will it be this time? Just thinking about it gets me hyped!"

"Careful you don't get OTK'd, Jesse," the Emerald Tortoise warned.

"Hahaha, relax—we've got this," Jesse said, giving it a thumbs-up.

"It's an honor to face the legendary Crystal Beasts," Kira smiled politely.

Well, though to be honest, the real-life Crystal Beasts are a bit underwhelming.

"My turn. Draw," Kira said. "I've specially prepared a new deck I haven't used before. Let's try it out.

First, I set a monster in face-down Defense."

He set the monster on the field face-down.

"Then I set a backrow card. Turn end."

"A brand-new deck you've been saving? That makes me even more fired up!" Jesse clenched his fists. "Alright, then it's my turn. Draw!"

Jesse revealed a card in his hand.

"I activate the Continuous Spell, Crystal Tree!"

A remarkable tree burst from the ground, its deep-brown trunk thick and sturdy. Gems hung like fruit from its branches, gleaming brilliantly, their refracted light forming a seven-colored rainbow at the top of the tree.

"As long as Crystal Tree is in the Spell/Trap Zone, each time a Crystal Beast is placed in the backrow, I put a Crystal Counter on this card!"

Being placed in the backrow is the Crystal Beasts' shared trait. When destroyed, they don't go to the GY like normal monsters; they become gemstones and are placed in the controller's Spell/Trap Zone.

In the anime, this is described as proof of the Beasts' bond with Jesse. Even if destroyed, they don't leave the field—they're always by his side, like family.

"Time to call out a new member of my family!" Jesse revealed another monster. "Come on out!
Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth!"

A radiant amber appeared on Jesse's field, bursting with dazzling light. A towering mammoth emerged from the glow with a low bellow, swinging its long trunk.

[Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth, ATK 1700]

"Leave it to me, Jesse!" The mammoth bared its sharp tusks with a roar.

"Go for it, Mammoth!" Jesse said. "Attack the face-down monster, Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth!"

The mammoth charged at full speed toward Kira's set monster, its massive frame kicking up yellow dust, its footsteps making the entire cave tremble.

"I activate my set card," Kira said, flipping his backrow. "Continuous Trap—Gravity Bind.

While this Trap is on the field, all Level 4 or higher monsters on both sides cannot attack!"

A gravity wave pulsed across the field as the trap flipped. The mammoth, midway through its charge, suddenly felt the gravity multiplied a hundredfold. Its steps sank into the ground, and it could barely move forward.

Mokuba: "Ohh, it's Kira's Gravity Bind!"

"You really like these 'you can't play the game' strategies…" the new spirit Kira called Eye floated out to gripe.

"But wait, isn't the goal of this duel to inspire the other side and wake that powerful slab? If you make it so he can't duel at all… is that really okay?"

"It's fine," Kira smiled. "I know what I'm doing. If a duelist can't play through something like this, how's he supposed to awaken Rainbow Dragon?"

Sure enough, the next moment Jesse revealed his countermeasure. "Then I activate my set card, Counter Trap—Crystal Miracle!
When a monster effect, Spell, or Trap is activated, I can destroy one 'Crystal Beast' card I control to negate and destroy that activation!"

The green-shelled turtle lying on the ground lifted its head and patted its chest with its little forelegs.

"Use my body, Jesse!"

It sounded very much like a last-stand tone.

"Alright. Sorry, Emerald Tortoise," Jesse said. "I destroy Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise to negate and destroy the activation of Gravity Bind!"

The Emerald Tortoise seemed to be engulfed in green fire, its figure turning ethereal within the flames before transforming into a blazing shell that shot forth and smashed into Gravity Bind.

The Trap shattered, and the oppressive gravity instantly dissipated.

"When Crystal Beasts are destroyed, they don't go to the GY—they're placed in the Spell/Trap Zone as gems!" Jesse said.

As he spoke, the turtle had already turned into a sparkling green emerald, which dropped into Jesse's backrow, gleaming brightly.

"And at this moment, I activate the Continuous Trap, Crystal Conclave!" Jesse said. "Once per turn, when a Crystal Beast I control is destroyed by battle or card effect, I can Special Summon a 'Crystal Beast' from my Deck.

I'll call out a new Crystal Beast!"

Jesse searched his Deck and revealed a card.

"Your turn to shine!
Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus!"

A sapphire gem appeared on the field and then shattered, unleashing brilliant blue light. A pegasus with alabaster coat and angelic wings circled twice in the air and alighted gracefully onto the field.

[Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus, ATK 1800]

"Going all-out from the start today, eh, Jesse?" the pegasus said.

"Yeah," Jesse grinned. "Today's opponent is rare and we can't let our guard down for even a second. Everyone needs to be at their best."

"No problem!"

"Leave it to us!"

The Crystal Beasts chimed in.

"Then I activate Sapphire Pegasus's effect!" Jesse said. "When it's Summoned or Special Summoned, I can place any 'Crystal Beast' from my hand, Deck, or GY in my Spell/Trap Zone as a Continuous Spell!"

Jesse pulled a card from his Deck.

"Come on out, Crystal Beast—Ruby Carbuncle!"

A red gem appeared in his backrow, hovering in the S/T Zone. The moment it was placed, it radiated a brilliant crimson glow.

Then both the ruby and emerald in Jesse's backrow shattered, and the petite, adorable Ruby Carbuncle and the just-retired Emerald Tortoise both returned to their original forms and dropped onto the field.

[Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle, DEF 300]
[Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise, DEF 2000]

Kira raised an eyebrow.

Hold on, I don't play Crystal Beasts much, but don't try to scam me—how did you Special Summon them like that?
Isn't Ruby Carbuncle's effect supposed to trigger when it itself is Special Summoned, to Special Summon the backrow Crystal Beasts to the front?

Jesse: "Ruby Carbuncle's effect is: when this card is placed in the Spell/Trap Zone, you can Special Summon as many 'Crystal Beast' monsters placed in your S/T Zone as possible!" (Anime effect)

Kira stroked his chin.

So the anime Crystal Beasts had that difference, huh. I totally didn't remember that…