When two or more of your cards are destroyed by an effect, the Trap Card [Starlight Road] manifests Stardust's will of protection in another form.
"Starlight Road!? You'd already set a card like that!?"
The Shadow Duelist's scarred face twisted in visible shock at the power that protected everything.
It was the culmination of Miles and Krista's perfect coordination.
From their opening teamwork to seize first turn…
To Krista's [Dust Tornado] setting up Miles's [Starlight Road] through its secondary effect…
And now, that very Stardust connection protected everything from the Earthbound Immortal's rage.
"Don't tell me… you planned this all along!?"
"Remember this well—the will of humanity to live is stronger than you think!"
Miles thrust his arm forward, the trail of starlight ahead blazing into a radiant path.
"[Starlight Road] negates and destroys [Earthbound Release]! And now, on this road of light born from countless prayers—Synchro Summon! [Stardust Dragon]!"
Stardust: "It's my dazzling entrance again!"
[Stardust Dragon] Level 8│WIND│Dragon│Synchro│Effect│ATK 2500 / DEF 2000
More spectacular than a normal Synchro, [Stardust Dragon] was treated as a Synchro Summon through [Starlight Road]'s effect. Emerging from the blazing road of light, Stardust Dragon spread its shining wings and soared.
At the end of that luminous path, the enormous black hand of the Earthbound Immortal was forced back underground by Stardust's gathered brilliance.
[Earthbound Release] — Negated and destroyed.
"If that destruction's negated, then keep pushing forward, [Drill Warrior]!"
The Battle Phase continued. Racing down the radiant path, Drill Warrior launched skyward, piercing through the massive spider-like Earthbound Immortal and striking the Shadow Duelist head-on.
[Shadow Duelist, LP: 2000 → 500]
"We☆Did☆IT! Miles!" Krista's eyes sparkled with excitement.
Their teamwork had reduced the Shadow Duelist's Life Points to 500.
And 800 LP was the finishing threshold of [Speed World 2].
[You can remove the corresponding number of Speed Counters to activate one of the following effects:
● 4 Counters: Reveal 1 "Speed Spell" card in your hand; inflict 800 damage to your opponent.]
Next turn, if Krista drew a Speed Spell, she could win the Turbo Duel instantly.
"I end the Battle Phase."
With an untargetable Earthbound Immortal still on the field, only [Drill Warrior] could attack directly. The remaining monsters—[Top Runner] and [Stardust Dragon]—switched to Defense Position.
"During Main Phase 2, I activate [Drill Warrior]'s other effect!"
[Once per turn, during your Main Phase: You can discard 1 card; banish this card. During your next Standby Phase, Special Summon this banished card, then add 1 monster from your Graveyard to your hand.]
"Discarding one card—[Drill Warrior], remove yourself from play!"
Though described as banished, Drill Warrior simply burrowed beneath the earth—hiding from its foe.
As the only monster capable of breaking through the Earthbound Immortal, the Shadow Duelist would obviously target it next. So Miles sent it away first, planning to bring it back during Krista's next Standby Phase for the finishing strike.
"My drill can pierce even an Earthbound Immortal!"
"I Set three cards. Turn end."
This turn, Miles went all-in.
That's the essence of Tag Duels—never hold back your hand. Summon every monster, Set every Spell and Trap, useful or not.
Since their turns alternated, saving cards for later was pointless. Survival depended on acting now.
"My turn—Draw!"
[Shadow Duelist, SPC: 3 → 4]
[Miles & Krista, SPC: 3 → 4]
With their draws and acceleration, both reached the critical 4 Speed Counters.
If not for [Starlight Road]'s protection, the previous turn's Earthbound rage would've ended them, finished by [Speed World 2] and any Speed Spell.
"So this Stardust… it's the will to live, is it? Then I'll crush your will, and Stardust, with it! [Speed Spell – Angel Baton]!"
Another Angel Baton. The Shadow Duelist drew two more cards, searching for the one that could counter Krista's Continuous Trap, [Spirit Barrier].
"Draw! Draw!"
The second draw found it. Their clashing wills had pushed both Decks to the limit—only one side would endure.
"I activate the effect of [Trap Eater] in my hand!"
[This card cannot be Normal Summoned/Set. You can Special Summon this card (from your hand) by sending 1 face-up Trap Card your opponent controls to the Graveyard.]
Without warning, a fanged demon burst from beneath the track beside Krista's D-Wheel, devouring the face-up [Spirit Barrier] in one gulp.
"By sending [Spirit Barrier] to the Graveyard—Special Summon [Trap Eater]!"
[Trap Eater] Level 4│DARK│Fiend│Tuner│ATK 1900 / DEF 1600
"Eww, that's disgusting!" Krista grimaced. The half-digested card glistened slimy and wet as it vanished.
With [Spirit Barrier] gone, the Earthbound Immortal's direct attacks could once again deal damage. And the Shadow Duelist had gained an extra monster without using his Normal Summon.
"Now I activate [Earthbound Immortal Uru]'s effect!"
For the first time, he used the Immortal's power.
The massive spider's crimson eyes flared to life.
[Once per turn: You can Tribute 1 monster you control; take control of 1 face-up monster your opponent controls until the End Phase.]
Spewing silk, the Earthbound Immortal sacrificed [Trap Eater] and aimed for Miles's field.
Miles: "Crap, Stardust Dragon's getting stolen agai—wait, 'again'? Why'd I say that?"
Krista: "Don't look at me!"
But to their surprise, the webs didn't wrap around [Stardust Dragon].
"Through [Earthbound Immortal Uru]'s effect, I take control of your [Top Runner]!"
His true target was Krista's [Top Runner], which had been boosting all Synchro Monsters' ATK.
"And now I Normal Summon Level 4 [Earthbound Linewalker]! Then I tune Level 4 [Earthbound Linewalker] with Level 4 Tuner [Top Runner] for a Synchro Summon!"
"A Synchro Summon? Of course…"
In a Turbo Duel, it wasn't strange for the Shadow Duelist to use Synchro Summons himself. And since [Earthbound Immortal Uru]'s control effect lasted only one turn, taking [Top Runner] for Synchro was the optimal play—weakening his foes while strengthening himself.
4★ + 4★ = 8★!
Krista gasped. "What's this… such overwhelming pressure!"
Eight stars blazed above the Shadow Duelist's head. Though both it and [Stardust Dragon] were Level 8 Synchros, the force now surging forth was on an entirely different level.
The sky itself trembled as an enormous phantom dragon roared into existence, rivaling even an Earthbound Immortal in size.
"Synchro Summon—a Phantom Dragon born of wrath to crush all before it! Roar—[Draco Berserker of the Tenyi]!"
[Draco Berserker of the Tenyi] Level 8│DARK│Wyrm│Synchro│ATK 3000 / DEF 0
[1 Tuner + 1+ non-Tuner monsters]
The Synchro monster with 3000 Attack had a humanoid body and the appearance of a demon.
"This is the true rage of Synchro! The power that symbolizes destruction and the end… something your mere Stardust Dragon could never compare to! Battle!"
The moment the Synchro Summon completed, the Shadow Duelist immediately declared his Battle Phase.
On his field, [Draco Berserker of the Tenyi] clenched its massive fists, its demonic aura radiating fury as it strode toward Stardust Dragon step by step.
"Shatter that stardust of hope to pieces—Dragon Berserker Smash Fist!"
With a furious roar, its punch struck [Stardust Dragon]. The 2000 Defense Stardust stood no chance against a 3000 Attack blow.
Stardust: "(Owww, that hurts!"
The image of Stardust Girl being smashed into a comical expression echoed in Miles's mind.
"If Stardust represents humanity's will to survive, then in this moment, even that stardust will fuel destruction!" the Shadow Duelist cried out, raising his arm. "I activate [Draco Berserker of the Tenyi]'s effect!"
[Once per turn, when this card destroys an Effect Monster by battle and sends it to the GY: This card gains ATK equal to that destroyed monster's original ATK, and it can make a second attack on a monster during this Battle Phase.]
The power that had crushed Stardust Dragon wrapped around the Berserker's thick arms.
[Draco Berserker of the Tenyi, ATK: 3000 → 5500]
Not only had it destroyed Stardust Dragon and gained a surge of power, it could now strike again.
Fortunately, Miles and Krista had no other monsters left for the Berserker to target.
Of course, if you were relieved by that, it only meant the duel had reached a desperate state.
"[Earthbound Immortal Uru], direct attack! This time, you can't block it!"
The colossal spider lifted its sharp legs once more, slamming them down toward Miles's and Krista's D-Wheels.
[Miles & Krista, LP: 4000 → 1000]
They took the 3000 direct damage head-on. For the first time, Krista, who had held the lead the entire duel, was forced to slow down, allowing the Shadow Duelist to overtake.
"Sorry, Miles… I got pushed back."
Her D-Wheel now rode side by side with his, her face tense.
"You did great, Krista." Miles gave her a reassuring smile. "Out of all the tag duels I've fought, you're easily in my top five most reliable partners."
"Top five!? Not even top three!?" she protested.
Counting them off—Kevin, Aisha, Ren, Kaima, and Krista—there were exactly five. Choosing who was more reliable depended on the duel, so Miles decided to call them all "top five."
"But Turbo Duels are different. In team Turbo Duels, you're number one, Krista."
"I get it, I get it. I'm the only one you've ever teamed with in a Turbo Duel, right?"
This girl wasn't as easy to fool as Aisha; she could read him perfectly.
"Still, I'm not about to just sit here after taking a hit." Krista's eyes hardened as she looked ahead at the Shadow Duelist. "The Stardust of hope—the memory of my father—won't break that easily!"
"My turn ends."
With the Battle Phase concluded, the Shadow Duelist ended his turn.
"That's the spirit, Krista! Let's show him the strength of Stardust's light combined!"
At the end of the Shadow Duelist's turn, Miles flipped one of his face-downs.
"—Trap Card, [Miracle's Wake], activate! I Special Summon the [Stardust Dragon] destroyed this turn by battle back to my field!"
The fuzzy light of hope pierced the burning track of the Turbo Duel, guiding the reborn Stardust back to the field.
[Stardust Dragon, ATK: 2500]
This time, Stardust returned in Attack Position, a declaration that Miles intended to fight back head-on.
"My turn—Draw!"
Riding in tandem, Krista drew her card to start her turn.
[Miles & Krista, SPC: 4 → 5]
[Shadow Duelist, SPC: 4 → 5]
They'd both reached 5 Speed Counters. With the Shadow Duelist's remaining 500 LP, this was the finishing threshold.
If Krista drew a Speed Spell, she could end it instantly.
"This guy… he's not even nervous?" Miles muttered cautiously.
Though only seeing the back of his opponent's D-Wheel now, the Shadow Duelist showed no reaction at all to the looming threat of [Speed World 2]'s finishing effect.
Krista glanced at her draw… it was a Trap Card, not the Speed Spell they needed.
"Guess we'll have to break through the hard way, Miles."
"Then let's bring that monster back!"
Miles & Krista: "The drill that pierces Earthbound Immortals—return from the banished zone! [Drill Warrior], come back!"
At the critical moment, the warrior of the drill made its triumphant return. During Krista's Standby Phase, the monster Miles had banished with its own effect Special Summoned itself once more.
[Drill Warrior, ATK: 2400]
"And when [Drill Warrior] returns to the field, I can add 1 monster from my Graveyard to my hand—I'll take back the Tuner monster, [Top Runner]!"
Drill Warrior's return meant that even if Krista hadn't drawn a Speed Spell, the opponent's 500 Life Points were still within striking range.
Krista declared sharply, "I activate [Drill Warrior]'s effect! Its Attack is halved, and this turn, it can attack directly!"
"I was waiting for that effect!" The Shadow Duelist, riding ahead, gestured toward his Synchro Monster. "I activate [Draco Berserker of the Tenyi]'s effect!"
[Once per turn, when your opponent activates a monster effect: You can banish that monster.]
"—Tenyi Wave!"
The roar of the enraged Tenyi Berserker tore through the space of the Turbo Duel track, and the returning [Drill Warrior] was once again banished into another dimension.
This time, being banished by the opponent's effect, it likely wouldn't be coming back.
"Trying to attack me with the same method again, huh… that's why I said you're too naive! Don't underestimate a Turbo Duel where everything is on the line!"
"What an unfair Synchro Monster," Krista muttered, impressed despite herself.
Both were Level 8 Synchros, but the Berserker not only had a power-stealing combo effect—it could also counter and banish. A true all-rounder.
No wonder the oppressive aura of that monster's summoning had dwarfed even Stardust Dragon.
"Although in the end, we're still one step ahead!"
Turning that pressure into determination, Krista's eyes shifted to Miles beside her.
"Let's show him the true trump card of Stardust, Miles!"
"Yeah—your move, Krista!"
[Draco Berserker of the Tenyi]'s banish effect could only be used once per turn, which meant their next move would go through.
"I Normal Summon [Top Runner] in Attack Position!"
[Top Runner, ATK: 1100]
Krista led the play, summoning the monster she'd just recovered from the Graveyard.
Miles followed up by flipping one of his face-downs.
"—Continuous Trap, [Powerful Rebirth], activate!"
[Target 1 Level 4 or lower monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target. Its Level increases by 1, and its ATK/DEF each increase by 100. When that monster is destroyed, destroy this card.]
"I'll use [Powerful Rebirth] to revive [Lady Ninja Yae] from the Graveyard!"
It was the card Krista had discarded on the first turn to Special Summon [Quickdraw Synchron].
[Lady Ninja Yae, Level 3 → 4│ATK: 1100 → 1200]
Summoned through Powerful Rebirth, the beautiful ninja stood proudly, her Level raised to 4.
Now, with a Level 4 Tuner and a Level 4 non-Tuner on Krista's field, the stage was set—the perfect 8 stars for a Synchro Summon.
"I tune [Top Runner] and [Lady Ninja Yae]! Let the purifying light of Stardust shine alongside the brilliance of destruction!"
4★ + 4★ = 8★!
"A flash that cleaves the sea of stars! Let the pulse of the soul echo through the world! Synchro Summon—[Stardust Spark Dragon]!!"
From the radiant light of an 8-star Synchro Summon soared another Stardust Dragon.
[Stardust Spark Dragon] Level 8│LIGHT│Dragon│Synchro│Effect│ATK 2500 / DEF 2000
In their previous Turbo Duel, the battle had been so fierce their control nearly couldn't keep up. But now, on the brink of annihilation, Stardust Dragon and Stardust Spark Dragon fought side by side for the first time.
Krista: "Whether it's the Berserker or the Earthbound Immortal!"
Miles: "We'll surpass them both—with the twin light of Stardust!"
...
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