"H-Hey, don't you think saying energy from outer space is crashing into the Duel is a bit too alarming?" Hoshino said skeptically.
Even though she said that, Hoshino and the others instinctively looked up — just like the Dwarf King — toward the sky displayed on Savior Mk. II's monitoring screen.
The crimson sky of the other world seemed to have been dyed red by Indra's Flames, but hidden behind that burning curtain was another truth — something was rapidly approaching the planet.
"Σ(っ°Д°;)っ W-W-W-WHAT?!"
Akasha suddenly let out a strange cry, becoming the first to notice something unusual on the monitor.
Minazuki, however, hadn't seen anything. He glanced at Akasha and remarked:
"What's going on? Why is there a bird here?"
"(╯‵□′)╯ You idiot!!"
Furiously slamming Minazuki's head against the monitor, Akasha pointed at the tiny black dot in the crimson sky that was rapidly growing larger.
"Open your damn eyes and look carefully! Something's falling from the sky! It's right above Illya's head!"
"Above my head?"
Hearing Akasha's warning, both Illyas instinctively covered their heads with their hands and crouched into defensive positions.
Unfortunately, the object descending from outer space wasn't something that could be stopped by a little girl's duck-and-cover tactic.
"…A meteor…"
When the mysterious object hidden beyond the crimson heavens finally came into full view on the monitor, the owner of that overwhelming energy at last entered Hoshino's field of vision.
"King Utgarda can actually summon a meteor directly from outer space?! At least have some sense of moderation when breaking the rules!"
The catastrophic sight — more realistic than any science-fiction blockbuster — left Hoshino utterly stunned.
The apocalyptic crimson sky wasn't only the result of Karna Illya's blazing Indra Flames — it was also caused by the unimaginable heat generated as the gigantic meteor tore through the atmosphere at tremendous speed.
Cold sweat rolled down the Dwarf King's forehead as her eyes darted across the monitor, rapidly analyzing the incoming data.
"A meteor? No… The energy level is far beyond anything a meteor could possess…"
She continued:
"According to the readings… that's not a meteor at all. It's an entire planet crashing down!"
"Then why the hell is something on the scale of a PLANET suddenly falling on us?!" Hoshino shouted in disbelief.
"Analysis complete!"
After compiling all the data, the Dwarf King projected the card's information onto the screen and explained:
"After you Special Summoned Magical Girl – Karna Illya, King Utgarda activated this card from its hand — Nibiru, the Primal Being!"
[Nibiru, the Primal Being ★★★★★★★★★★★ (Level 11)][LIGHT][Rock/Effect][ATK 3000/DEF 600]
[During the Main Phase, if your opponent Normal or Special Summoned 5 or more monsters this turn (Quick Effect): You can Tribute as many face-up monsters on the field as possible, and if you do, Special Summon this card from your hand.]
"It only activates if the opponent has summoned or Special Summoned five or more monsters this turn. I didn't…"
Hoshino started to argue, only to be silenced by the line of Magical Girls standing before her.
At the start of the Duel she had summoned: Illya, Miyu, Merlin Illya.
That's already three summons.
After that:
Miyu performed a Fusion Summon to summon Magical Girl – Medusa Miyu.
Merlin Illya transformed into Karna Illya.
Five summons had indeed been reached.
"(๑·ڡ<>)"
"Now is NOT the time to act cute and brush this off! Forget the monster effect for a second!"
While frantically operating Savior Mk. II's control panel at incredible speed, the Dwarf King complained:
"Summoning an entire planet and dropping it from the sky… King Utgarda, are you trying to destroy this whole world?!"
Yugi asked nervously:
"What do we do if it really crashes down?"
As Nibiru, the Primal Being drew closer and closer to the surface, the seawater surrounding Duel Academy Island began to heat up.
If that planet truly struck, every ocean on the planet would instantly boil away.
"I won't let it hit!"
"There's a reason this machine is called the 'Savior'! That name isn't just for show!"
The Dwarf King's tiny fingers flew across the control panel at a speed no ordinary person could match.
At the final moment, the adjustments were complete.
"It's just one planet! Watch me shove it right back where it came from with the Savior!"
The colossal Savior Mk. II — a machine whose size nearly rivaled that of King Utgarda itself — finally demonstrated that it was built for more than just Dueling.
"Emergency Mode Shift! Spiral Power Output! Internal Thrusters — MAXIMUM!"
Powered by an inexplicable source of energy, the giant mech blasted into the sky.
Raising both arms — each equipped with Duel Disks — it intercepted the descending Nibiru, the Primal Being, forcibly halting its fall while extinguishing the searing heat produced by its atmospheric entry.
"Settle down already! I told you — after ten thousand years, King Utgarda, you will never make us bow again!"
Although the Nibiru, the Primal Being summoned by King Utgarda was a genuine planet rather than a meteor, planets vary greatly in size.
This particular one was only slightly larger than Savior Mk. II itself. Otherwise, everyone wouldn't have mistaken it for a meteor in the first place.
"Y-You stopped it…"
Holding her breath, Eve stared blankly at Savior Mk. II pushing against Nibiru, the Primal Being.
"To think they used the power of technology to stop an entire planet that had already entered the atmosphere and was moments away from impact…"
Kaiba once again marveled at the Dwarves' unbelievably advanced technology.
After dispersing the intense surface heat and canceling its momentum, Nibiru, the Primal Being lost its world-ending destructive force.
The planet — now no larger than a giant meteor — was hurled directly into the sea by Savior Mk. II.
"The Duel continues, King Utgarda!!"
The immense mass crashing into the ocean sent an enormous column of water shooting into the sky.
Even the vast sea could only submerge about half of Nibiru, the Primal Being, leaving the rest protruding above the surface.
[Nibiru, the Primal Being ATK 3000]
"So Nibiru, the Primal Being was successfully Special Summoned to the opponent's field… which means its summoning conditions were indeed fulfilled."
Looking at the monster zones that had been completely emptied by the planet's impact, Eve sighed sadly.
"Hoshino and Yugi clearly had the advantage…"
Once the opponent successfully performed five or more summons in a single turn, Nibiru, the Primal Being would Tribute every monster on both fields before appearing.
Since it Tributes monsters rather than destroying them, even the destruction protection provided by Merlin Illya was powerless against the planet's catastrophic impact.
"No need to look so disappointed."
The Dwarf King smiled confidently as new data appeared on the monitor.
"Although the collision wiped out the entire field… it also left us with quite a generous gift!"
[When this card is Special Summoned: Special Summon 1 "Primal Being Token" (Rock/LIGHT/Level 11/ATK ?/DEF ?) to your opponent's field. This Token's ATK and DEF each become the combined original ATK and DEF of all monsters Tributed by this effect.]
"I see!" Yugi exclaimed excitedly. "The primal lifeform hidden within Nibiru awakened on our field after the collision wiped out the Magical Girls and Valkyrion the Magna Warrior!"
"Oh! So compared to that extinguished planetary meteor on the opponent's side, this Primal Being Token — having absorbed the ATK of every monster on the field — is the true trump card that we can control!"
Continuing her turn, Hoshino swung her arm decisively, placing the gigantic extraterrestrial lifeform into her previously empty Monster Zone.
"Special Summon! Come forth, you who greedily absorbed all the power that existed on this field just moments ago — Primal Being Token!"
[Primal Being Token ★★★★★★★★★★★ (Level 11)][LIGHT][Rock/Token][ATK 16600/DEF 16600]
A portion of its immense body emerged from the depths of the sea. The indescribable Primal Being Token, having gathered and absorbed the original ATK of every monster that had existed before the planet's impact, rose onto Hoshino's field.
"Its ATK is a whopping 16600! When you think about it, taking a hit from Nibiru, the Primal Being wasn't such a bad trade after all!" Eve's gloomy expression instantly brightened into a radiant smile.
"Besides, did you really think I'd be completely helpless after getting hit by Nibiru, the Primal Being? When Magical Girl – Karna Illya is sent to the Graveyard, I can add one Phantasm Summon from my Graveyard back to my hand! And…"
The light of another Summon shone across the Duel Field.
Even after being struck by a literal planet, Hoshino tenaciously continued her combo.
"Whenever a 'Heroic Spirit' monster on my field is sent to the Graveyard, I can activate the effect of Heroic Spirit – Festive Wear: Marie Antoinette in my Graveyard and Special Summon her in Defense Position!"
[Heroic Spirit – Festive Wear: Marie Antoinette ★★★★ (Level 4)][LIGHT][Spellcaster/Effect][ATK 0/DEF 2000]
[If this card is in your Graveyard, and a "Heroic Spirit" monster you control is sent to the Graveyard: You can activate this effect; Special Summon this card.]
"To cheer Master up after your entire field was wiped out, Marie hurried all the way back from the Graveyard~!"
After materializing at gigantic scale, Marie wore a bright smile as she turned toward Savior Mk. II, the colossal mech carrying Hoshino.
"Master is inside this, right? There, there… such a good child~."
She gently reached out and patted the giant mech on the head, genuinely treating the machine as though it were Hoshino herself.
"W-What is this…"
The Dwarf King, watching her beloved masterpiece of engineering receive an unexpected comforting head pat, could only stare speechlessly at Marie's innocent smile on the monitor.
Scratching her cheek awkwardly, Hoshino explained:
"Sorry… Marie's a bit of an idealist… and something of a dreamer. You don't really need to mind it."
"What is this?! She's way too adorable!"
At last, the Dwarf King blurted out what she'd been holding back.
"Hehe, I'm glad you like me." Marie replied with a smile.
As expected of France's Number One Cutie — she effortlessly won over the young Dwarf King.
Continuing her turn, Hoshino took another monster from her hand and placed it beside Marie's card.
"And don't forget — I still haven't used my Normal Summon this turn! I Normal Summon in Attack Position — Heroic Spirit – Chevalier d'Eon!"
[Heroic Spirit – Chevalier d'Eon ★★★★ (Level 4)][WATER][Warrior/Effect][ATK 1200/DEF 1200]
"Lady Marie, Master! I, Chevalier d'Eon, the White Lily Knight sworn to protect the French Royal Family, answer your summons!"
Clad in pure white garments, the knight Chevalier d'Eon was every bit as pure as a white lily…
…though their gender remained an eternal mystery.
"I have two Level 4 monsters. Here we go, Marie! Chevalier d'Eon!"
Sliding her fingers across the specially designed Duel Disk inside the cockpit, Hoshino stacked the two monsters together to construct an Xyz Network.
"I overlay Level 4 Chevalier d'Eon and Level 4 Marie as Xyz Materials! Xyz Summon! Bloom beneath the summer sun — Magical Girl – Swimsuit Illya!"
[Magical Girl – Swimsuit Illya ☆☆☆☆ (Rank 4)][WATER][Spellcaster/Xyz/Effect][ATK 1000/DEF 1000]
[Materials: 2 Level 4 monsters]
Brilliant Xyz light flashed across the battlefield.
Then Illya's cheerful voice rang out.
"It's the ocean! Now that I've changed into my brand-new swimsuit, there's nothing left for me to be afraid of!"
Unlike the elementary school uniform with its dangerously short skirt that constantly threatened wardrobe malfunctions, Illya's giant-sized summer swimsuit was the outfit in which she could truly unleash her full power upon the sea.
Ruby commented:
"Getting taken out by a meteor strike was such a ridiculous way to leave the field. This time, let's go all out in the swimsuit form!"
Incidentally, Ruby herself had also changed.
Instead of her usual magical staff form, she had transformed into a water gun, complete with a hose and spray nozzle — a "Jet Mode" designed to match Illya's swimsuit.
"Whether it's fighting or having fun, you've got to give it everything you've got! I activate the effect of Magical Girl – Swimsuit Illya!"
[If this card is Xyz Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 "Magical Girl" monster or 1 "Lily" monster from your hand.]
"That's right! If we're going to have the time of our lives, then friends are absolutely essential!"
Pointing Ruby — now in water-gun form — toward the sky, Illya fired a jet of water as a signal to gather her allies.
"Heh heh… Bet you didn't expect this! Even after taking a hit from Nibiru, the Primal Being, I still managed to continue my combo!"
Smiling triumphantly, Hoshino flung another Monster Card onto her Duel Disk.
Following the trajectory of the water jet fired by Swimsuit Illya, the sea once again echoed with the call to battle.
"Raise the deadly mist upon the sea! I Special Summon the Lily monster — Heroic Spirit – Jack the Ripper!"