Chapter 1296 1295: Disappointing Future

The Double Tuning vortex was ignited with raging flames. Countless burning star fragments poured down from the rings. The ground lava wriggled and gathered like a living creature, forming a counterclockwise rotating whirlpool in the center of the boiling magma lake.

First, dark red dragon horns pierced out from the burning whirlpool, with dripping lava condensing into crimson fire serpents in the air. Then the protruding dragon claws were covered in cracked patterns, each gap flowing with incandescent molten liquid. When it fully appeared, the entire magma lake instantly evaporated into sulfurous mist, revealing the glass-like foundation below that had been scorched.

Its dragon wings fully spread. The vertebrae along its spine lit up with supernova-like incandescent light. The tail blade left trails of continuously burning flames wherever it swept. Finally, the roar it raised formed a visible red shockwave. All the surrounding flames were drawn into a tornado-like fiery crown.

Red Nova Dragon, Summoned!

[Red Nova Dragon, ATK 3500]

The aura of the dragon that appeared this time was even more domineering than Scarlight's earlier. It also looked somewhat more ferocious. However, when this dragon landed, neither Copy Yusei nor the real and fake Z-ONEs watching the livestream showed the same surprise as before.

The reason was simple—it was within expectations.

Although Red Nova Dragon was powerful, it was still something that existed in the original timeline. It was a power Jack Atlas had originally mastered in the history known to both Z-ONEs.

In contrast, the earlier Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend, while strong, had not been strong enough to shock Z-ONE's cognition. Scarlight was special only because it was "unknown"—something that seemingly shouldn't have existed in the original timeline.

"Red Nova Dragon cannot be destroyed by any card effects!" Jack declared proudly.

This was also why he had said earlier that it didn't matter even if Card Breaker hadn't hit Wave Force. In front of Red Nova Dragon's destruction resistance, such a Trap was meaningless.

"Furthermore, Red Nova Dragon's ATK increases by 500 points for each Tuner monster in your Graveyard!" Jack continued. "Currently, I have two Tuners in my Graveyard: 'Dark Resonator' and 'D.D. Sprite'. Therefore, Red Nova Dragon's ATK increases by 1000!"

The phantoms of the two Tuner monsters flashed in mid-air and turned into burning vortices that poured into Red Nova Dragon's body. The lava around Red Nova Dragon overflowed. The flames seemed to turn into energy absorbed into its body, amplifying its power once more.

[Red Nova Dragon, ATK 3500 → ATK 4500]

In fact, Red Nova Dragon's current state was slightly weaker than usual. Normally, to Synchro Summon Red Nova, you first needed to Synchro Summon Red Dragon Archfiend (requiring 1 Tuner), then Double Tune down to Red Nova (requiring 2 more Tuners). Therefore, under the standard procedure, there would normally be at least three Tuners in the Graveyard when Red Nova Dragon appeared, guaranteeing at least 5000 ATK. That panel plus destruction resistance was still quite formidable in the current environment.

"Go, Red Nova Dragon!" Jack commanded. "Crush 'Junk Berserker'! Burning Soul!!!"

Red Nova Dragon's dragon claw suddenly lit up with dazzling magma patterns. A rotating flame vortex condensed at its claw tip. When it swung its claw, intersecting crimson claw marks tore through the air, each trail dragging viscous lava.

Junk Berserker's armor twisted and melted like wax upon contact with the high temperature at the vortex's core. Then dozens of fire pillars erupted from within. All the machinery and parts in its joints turned incandescent and turned into an iron-water rain amid explosive sounds. Finally, the entire mechanical body collapsed into glowing metallic residue, swept into a spiral ash smoke column by the continuously burning sulfurous storm.

The black smoke and raging flames continued unabated, sweeping across Copy Yusei's Duel Runner.

[Copy Yusei, LP 2700 → LP 900]

Red Nova Dragon's full-powered strike dropped the Life Points directly into the triple digits. Copy Yusei's Duel Runner swayed repeatedly, as if it might topple at any moment.

Yet he remained expressionless. He simply closed his eyes as if he couldn't feel the pain from the real damage, steadied his Duel Runner, and continued forward.

"How about it? Did you feel my fiercely burning soul!?"

Jack shouted loudly.

"I don't know what your goal is, but you dared to impersonate Yusei and tarnish the honor of our 5D's team. I will never forgive you!"

"The honor of the 5D's team, huh…"

Copy Yusei let out a long breath. After a long pause, he slowly spoke.

"You wanted to know why we came here and what our purpose is, right?"

Jack frowned and stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.

"We came here to prevent the mistake committed by God," Copy Yusei said slowly, "and to prevent your failure."

"Our failure?"

Jack looked puzzled.

"What nonsense are you spouting? And what is this 'God' situation?"

At this stage, Jack had too little information. He had only heard the name of the organization called Iliaster and knew nothing about the true leader behind it.

But Kira knew some inside information.

He glanced at Z-ONE beside him, then at the fake Z-ONE opposite them. Both remained silent in thought.

"God once had a plan—a 'break and rebuild' plan that would use destruction to open up hope," Copy Yusei said calmly. "He planned to destroy the entire New Domino City to open a future for this city."

Jack, hearing this for the first time, was greatly shocked. "What? Destroy New Domino City? Who would dare do such a thing!? What kind of future could such an inhumane massacre possibly open!?"

"New Domino City was merely the carrier of the disaster. The true demon was the perpetual motion machine nurtured by this city—no, it was the human heart that defiled the perpetual motion machine with darkness."

Copy Yusei continued.

"Erasing the existence of the perpetual motion machine along with the entire city that nurtured it from history—that was the final answer God found with the little time he had left before death.

But at that time, he still held a sliver of hope in his heart.

He hoped that when he destroyed the city, the most famous savior in the city's history would step forward to oppose him.

He hoped that when the savior stood before him, he would display power beyond his expectations—something that would dazzle him and allow him to pass on the future with peace of mind."

Jack grew even more confused. "What on earth are you talking about?"

Copy Yusei stared at him for a moment, then slowly uttered the name of the child of destiny.

"Yusei Fudo."

"The savior's name is Yusei Fudo. God hoped Yusei Fudo could stop him. He hoped to see his potential and know that the future did not necessarily require destruction."

"But in the end, he was disappointed."

Copy Yusei shook his head and said somewhat sorrowfully.

"Because Yusei Fudo… failed."

…