Chapter 1297: The Dragon Slayer Eventually Becomes the Evil Dragon

"Level Eater switches to Defense Position. Due to the effect of Limit Reverse, Level Eater is destroyed. And at the moment of its destruction—"

A fleeting light flashed across one of the cards in Copy Yusei's hand. An invisible wave erupted, and a majestic silhouette was released from the card.

"This card cannot be Normal Summoned. It can only be Special Summoned when a monster on your field is destroyed by a card effect."

Copy Yusei slowly raised the card in his hand and spoke coldly.

"Born from the Ener-D, the power that maintains history and changes the world—grant me the power to guide the future onto the correct path!—Meklord Emperor Wisel!"

Jack: "???"

Z-ONE: "!"

AA-Kira: "!?"

The first thing to pierce through the light curtain was a pitch-black metal faceplate, with red vein-like patterns pulsing across its surface. Then came the shoulder armor. Its right arm was a streamlined white giant blade, its edge gleaming with cold light. The left arm was equipped with a translucent energy shield, its surface rippling with blue waves.

As the white mech fully descended to the ground, the infinite ring core in its chest began to rotate slowly. The pitch-black space seemed to lead to another dimension. Pale blue energy traced an endless Möbius strip within the infinite void. With every rotation, visible distortions rippled through the surrounding air.

[Meklord Emperor Wisel, ATK 2500]

Kira had to admit that even he was genuinely shocked this time.

Copy Yusei summoning Meklord Emperor Wisel? Why am I having such a weird dream?

Even knowing this was a parallel timeline that had already gone out of control, and that this wasn't the real Yusei but merely a copy, the scene was still incredibly impactful.

Of course it was shocking, but logically it wasn't surprising that this Yusei could summon Meklord Emperor. The Meklord Emperors were mass-produced cards everywhere in the ruined future, and Copy Yusei likely belonged to Z-ONE's faction, so it made sense he would have one.

Kira frowned slightly. What did it mean, beyond this duel, for Copy Yusei to use a Meklord Emperor? Did it mean he too had become lost about the future and decided to walk Z-ONE's path?

Jack was clearly shocked as well. "H-How do you have Meklord Emperor…?"

At this point, Jack still didn't fully understand the organization called Iliaster or the true nature of the Meklord Emperors. The opponent had been using Yusei's cards until now, so the sudden appearance of Meklord Emperor caught him completely off guard.

But Copy Yusei had no intention of explaining. He said coldly, "Meklord Emperor Wisel, effect activated. Once per turn, equip one Synchro Monster on the opponent's field as an Equip Card and gain its ATK."

He pointed at Red Nova Dragon. "I will take your burning soul and your hope. Disappear, Red Nova!"

The infinite ring core in Meklord Emperor Wisel's chest spun rapidly. Several dark blue energy chains burst out from the black void. The chains twisted like living creatures and shot toward Red Nova Dragon with a piercing sound. They wrapped precisely around its neck, limbs, and dragon wings. Blue energy clashed violently with crimson dragon scales, scattering bright sparks.

However, just as the chains were about to tighten, Red Nova Dragon's body suddenly emitted a strange red glow. Its scales turned semi-transparent, as if about to blend into the air.

With a deafening dragon roar, Red Nova Dragon's form completely phased out. The tightly wrapped energy chains lost their target and twisted futilely in the air before loosening. In the end, the chains could only hang limply as Red Nova Dragon vanished.

"Hmph! Even if you suddenly pull out a so-called Synchro killer, Red Nova has already gained power that surpasses it!" Jack shouted.

"Red Nova Dragon's effect! Once per turn, during the opponent's turn, you can banish this card from the game! In the turn this effect is used, you can negate one attack from an opponent's monster once!" (Anime effect)

The anime version of Red Nova Dragon shared the same effect as Shooting Star Dragon, allowing it to banish itself proactively during the opponent's turn. This was much stronger than the real-card version, which could only banish when the opponent declared an attack. It meant Red Nova could simply run away when outmatched or facing troublesome removal effects. It essentially gave the monster an immortal trait.

"Banish Red Nova Dragon and negate one attack from 'Meklord Emperor Wisel'!" Jack declared. "How about that! Even borrowing the power of Meklord Emperor, a fake is still a fake! Next turn I'll bury both you and the Meklord Emperor together!"

But Copy Yusei shook his head. "That's why I say you haven't changed at all, Jack. Is Meklord Emperor the only monster on my field?"

Jack froze. Now that he thought about it, this guy still had Quickdraw Synchron on the field. And there was Level Eater in the Graveyard. Level Eater had just been destroyed and sent to the Graveyard by Limit Reverse after switching to Defense.

Jack suddenly realized something terrifying. His pupils contracted sharply.

Copy Yusei calmly revealed the card that had left the Graveyard. "From the Graveyard, 'Level Eater' can Special Summon itself by reducing the Level of one Level 5 or higher monster on the field by 1."

He pointed at the cowboy-like Synchron on the field. "Reduce Quickdraw Synchron's Level by 1 and Special Summon 'Level Eater' from the Graveyard."

A small, ghost-like transparent insect phased through Quickdraw Synchron, seemingly snatching one star from its five. Quickdraw Synchron dropped from Level 5 to Level 4.

"Level 4 Quickdraw Synchron and Level 1 Level Eater, tuning!" "Gathering wishes awaken a new power, becoming a shining road. Synchro Summon."

Copy Yusei spoke without emotion, mechanically reciting the classic summoning chant for the legendary monster that had appeared throughout 5D's and delivered the final blow in the ending battle.

"Junk Warrior!"

[Junk Warrior, ATK 2300]

Jack looked at Junk Warrior, then at the person beside it who looked exactly like Yusei yet piloted a Meklord Emperor. His heart filled with mixed emotions.

"You…"

But Copy Yusei gave him no chance to speak. "Junk Warrior's effect: It gains the ATK of all Level 2 or lower monsters on my field. Meklord Emperor Wisel is Level 1, so I add its ATK to Junk Warrior."

[Junk Warrior, ATK 2300 → ATK 4800]

Jack: "…"

Junk Warrior was Yusei's signature monster alongside Stardust Dragon. Meklord Emperor, on the other hand, represented the antithesis of Synchro Monsters and had always appeared as their enemy—except for the puzzling Kira.

What did this combination mean? Had the dragon slayer finally become the evil dragon? Had this Yusei stepped onto the path represented by the Meklord Emperors?

"Junk Warrior…" Copy Yusei emotionlessly gave the final order. "Direct attack."

Junk Warrior's mechanical right fist suddenly burst into scorching flames. Metal joints screeched under the heat. The thrusters on its back spewed fierce flames as the burning iron fist slammed into the side of Phoenix Whirlwind.

The white Duel Runner's armor nearly deformed under the heavy blow. Flames spread along the body. Jack tried to steady the handlebars amid the violent shaking, but the front wheel was already twisted. Phoenix Whirlwind spun wildly like a runaway horse and finally flipped through the air with a deafening metallic tearing sound.

The moment Jack was thrown from the cockpit, the Life Point counter on his Duel Disk flashed wildly and hit zero. His coat fluttered in the firelight as he crashed heavily into the track barrier.

In the distance, Junk Warrior retracted its smoking fist. Its red electronic eyes reflected the overturned Phoenix Whirlwind.

[Jack, LP 2100 → LP 0]

…