The ultimate secret technique of Ancient Gears!
At those words, everyone's expression tightened.
"The ultimate technique…but isn't Professor Crowler's ace just Ancient Gear Golem?" Syrus asked in confusion.
"No." Misawa's face grew solemn. "There's another ace among Ancient Gears—one said to be the evolution, the true final form, of Ancient Gear Golem.
Even among the already rare users of Ancient Gear Decks, duelists capable of controlling that power can be counted on one hand."
"That strong!?" Syrus gasped, then turned, astonished, to Crowler. "Professor has a card that powerful?"
"It's only my guess," Misawa replied. "At least since we enrolled, no one's ever seen the professor use it. A monster that surpasses Ancient Gear Golem might just be a legend…"
Indeed, in the anime, for most of the earlier arcs Crowler's ace was just Ancient Gear Golem. Only much later did he reveal that so-called strongest ace surpassing Ancient Gear Golem, using it in his final duel of the last term against Jaden. When he summoned it, he even said, "I never thought I'd have to use this card against a student."
Many fans later cited that as evidence that during Jaden's entrance exam duel, Crowler had been holding back.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Ancient Gear Double Imitation'!" Crowler said. "I select two monsters with 'Ancient Gear' in their names in my Graveyard and Special Summon them to my field!" (Anime card)
A custom card for Ancient Gears from the anime.
"I discarded one 'Ancient Gear Golem' from my hand with Graceful Charity just now, and sent another from my Deck with Foolish Burial."
Crowler raised his arm and shouted.
"I revive the two 'Ancient Gear Golems' in my Graveyard!"
Steel ruins rose from the ground; ancient gears clattered and whirred, assembling themselves into two towering giants. They slowly emerged, looking down from on high, as imposing as ever—though the red light in their single eyes had grown dim.
[Ancient Gear Golem, ATK 3000]x2
"Monsters Special Summoned by this effect have their effects negated," Crowler explained. "But they can be used as Fusion Materials!"
Crowler continued.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Polymerization' from my hand!
I fuse the two Ancient Gear Golems on my field with the third 'Ancient Gear Golem' in my hand—the one that was bounced back last turn by Worm Yagan!"
He revealed the monster card in his hand. A projection of the third Ancient Gear Golem appeared on the field, then was drawn with the others into the swirling vortex of Fusion.
The fusion of machines looked like some colossal, ancient sleeper being awakened. From the raging energy within the vortex emerged a form whose upper body retained the humanoid structure of Ancient Gear Golem, its mechanical components intricate and precise, gleaming with a cold metallic luster. Its lower body was like that of a centaur: steel hooves crashing onto the ground, arms sheathed in heavy armor.
Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem—summoned!
[Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem, ATK 4400]
"Whoa, it's real!" Tyranno shouted in excitement. "Professor Crowler really has such an unbelievable monster. I'm starting to see him in a whole new light!"
"What are you talking about?" Jaden said with a hands-on-hips grin.
"Professor's always been strong."
Crowler shot Jaden a meaningful look, then lightly closed his eyes.
"…Thanks, slacker."
He murmured it like talking to himself, then raised his head again.
"Battle, none!"
Crowler glanced over Kira's field, his mind racing.
The greatest threat right now was unquestionably Worm Victory. But thanks to his colleague Bonaparte's Gulliver Chain, Victory was bound and stuck in Defense Position for now, so it wasn't an immediate problem.
That meant the first thing he had to take out was Worm Yagan—the flip monster that bounced monsters back to the hand. It was face-up now, but if Kira's Deck was built around dirty flip shenanigans, there were bound to be plenty of cards like that previous "W Nebula Meteorite" that could repeatedly flip monsters.
"Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem, attack 'Worm Yagan'!"
The mechanical giant crackled with electricity, arcs of power leaping across its body. Its punch tore the air apart, shockwaves blowing out as its fist obliterated Worm Yagan in a single blow.
"When Ultimate Ancient Gear Golem attacks, the opponent can't activate any Spells or Traps!" Crowler called out.
After shattering Worm Yagan, the giant's fist kept going. The shadow of the blow continued toward Kira—but naturally, when it reached him, it was blocked entirely by an invisible barrier.
"Continuous Trap 'Spirit Barrier.' As long as I control a monster, I don't take battle damage," Kira said with a smile. "Not even piercing damage gets through. You haven't forgotten that, have you, professor?"
"Tch… In that case, my turn is over, none."
He turned to Bonaparte.
"The rest is up to you!"
"Leave it to me, I understand!" Bonaparte said. "My turn. Draw!
I activate the Spell Card 'Remove Trap'!"
The Spell's projection appeared behind him.
"This card destroys one Trap on the field. I destroy 'Spirit Barrier'!"
Kira's Trap was shattered, and the golden, transparent barrier that had been protecting his field also broke apart.
"Excellent!" Crowler said. "With his strongest defense removed, we can finally inflict damage!"
Professor Bonaparte continued, "Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Card of Burial Magic.' I banish 'Forced March,' 'Fife and Drum Corps,' and 'Remove Trap' from my Graveyard to draw two cards!" (Anime card)
"And then I activate the Spell Card 'Crowning of the Emperor'!
I Tribute one 'Toy Soldier' on my field to Special Summon 'Toy Emperor' from my Deck!"
A magic circle flared under the last Toy Soldier on Bonaparte's field. Golden light burst from the circle and shot into the sky.
Within that light, the tiny soldier underwent a metamorphosis. It mounted a toy steed, gripped the reins, and drew the Emperor's sword, its eyes gazing resolutely forward.
Toy Emperor—summoned!
[Toy Emperor, ATK 2300]
"A soldier ascending into an emperor, huh?" Misawa murmured.
Syrus said, "Kinda does feel like Professor Bonaparte."
"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Iron Call.' If I control a Machine-Type monster, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Machine-Type from my Graveyard," Bonaparte said.
"I Special Summon 'Toy Soldier' from my Graveyard!"
[Toy Soldier, ATK 800]
He paused, then gave Crowler a look.
"Crowler, I'll be borrowing your strength!"
"No problem!" Crowler replied without hesitation. He'd already resolved to fight side by side until they won. "No matter what, we have to win, Bonaparte!"
"I know!"
Bonaparte raised the card in his hand and called out loudly.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Creature Swap'!"
…