Chapter 8
Dark Signs- Mark of the Monkey- Minus Curse Lockdown
(This Is Halloween- Rock Version. The mark of the spider has burned a scar into the dusty, quiet landscape of the Satellite. Somewhere near the middle, the four Signers and their friends face off against the five Dark Signers.)
Yusei: Alright, Dark Signers, this is it. It's time to pay for what you've done.
Devack: Well, before you try and cash out, I have something that a little female signer might be looking for. (He holds up a card.)
Lyra: Huh! That's Luna's dragon!
Devack: I believe this card should be in another signer's deck. Now, if you want to get this card back, you'll have to come battle me. And in case you're wondering who I am, my name is Devack... (rolls up his sleeve) And I bear the mark of the Monkey.
Lyra: (Stares back up at him and Saph, resolute. As Roman speaks, Akiza has the same expression on her face as she gazes up at Misty, and Yusei as he watches Kalin.)
Roman: Hahahahahaha! Fate has finally brought us together. Signer and Dark Signer. Let us meet tomorrow at the Four Stars of Destiny. The end will be decided there.
(As Carly turns away, Jack glimpses her face, and gasps in absolute shock.)
Yusei: Whoa, where do you think you're goin'! Don't you walk away from me, Roman! (He runs after them; Akiza reaches out a hand.)
Akiza: Yusei, wait!
Jack: (Runs after them, too. Lyra, Sect, and Aura, bordered by Seria, who is crying.)
(Street)
Yusei: (He is now surrounded by only mist, down some empty alley in the Satellite.) Hey! Come on! Let's do this right here right now!
Roman: (His voice can be heard somewhere in the mist, but Yusei is alone.) Hahahahahahahaha! Don't be so impatient, Yusei! We can't battle here; we're not supposed to!
Yusei: Whadya mean we're not supposed to? It sounds to me like you're scared!
Roman: Don't be a fool. Just come to the Four Stars of Destiny; we'll be waiting!
Yusei: (Looking around) I'm done playing your little games! Get out here! (Shouts to the sky) Get out here and duel me!
(Another Street)
Jack: (He runs headlong into the mist.) Hey! You!
Carly: (Stops and turns, with a gasp.)
Jack: Yeah, you! Why do you look so familiar?!
Carly: (Backs up a step and tries to run away, but Jack tries to grab her by the shoulder and instead pulls off her hood. Even the back of her head is distinctive; Jack gasps in shock and horror.)
Jack: I don't- I don't believe it! Carly? Is that you?
Carly: (As she turns her head, her eyes appear normal; she blinks and they become dark again. Her manner is regretful, mournfully dramatic, condemned.) Yes?
Jack: What's going on here! You can't really be a Dark Signer...?
Carly: (Turns and walks away, pulling up her hood. She looks back at him one more time.) If it's answers that you want, you'll have to come find me, tomorrow... Til then, Jack. (As she walks away, tears sparkle in the air in her wake, and her hood billows behind her. She walks, then runs, away, leaving Jack standing in the mist, staring after her.)
(Martha's house- the mood is grim. Seria is still crying, the windows have been cleaned up since earlier. Jack sits at the dining table, which is de-extended after dinner earlier, apart from the group; Jack sits down; in front of him are Lyra, Sect, Mina, Yusei and Akiza. The twins stand shamefaced at the foot of the table.)
Seria: I'm so sorry! All of this— it's all because of me!
Sect: And— Martha? She's... really, gone?
Trudge: (Falls to his knees.) I'm afraid so! I was with her; I should've been able to save her! But I wasn't able to grab hold of her in time... It's all my fault! (Sect and Lyra are instantly at each of his shoulders, encouraging him.)
Lyra: It's not your fault! It's my fault!
Sect: No, it's not, it's my fault for trying to help Yusei!
Seria: No, it's my fault for not saying "don't go"! (She holds up her head. Everyone is silent. Trudge is sitting on the floor on his hands and knees, and the kids are grouped around him. Jack stands and pounds his fists on the table, fed up.)
Jack: That's enough! Knock it off, you dolts! Stop trying to take credit for everything!
Yusei: What he means is, you're not the ones to blame.
Sect, Lyra and Seria: (Stop looking down and listen.)
Yusei: This is all the Dark Signers' doing. They've taken Martha and my friends... We're not gonna sit around and blame ourselves for things the bad guys did. But I'll tell you what we are gonna do about it. We're gonna defeat the Dark Signers and get everyone back! (Trudge and the kids turn to him and gasp. Jack looks at him, frowning. Akiza seems uncertain. The twins are listening intently, and Luna looks a bit worried.)
Seria: Wait one moment. Are you really saying that you can bring everyone back?
Yusei: (Nods) That's right.
Seria: How is that possible?
Yusei: Everything that's happened so far, both here and in New Domino City, has been the work of an evil power, Doctor Schmidt. The destruction of the two cities; the mystical symbols appearing; the— Crazy lights suddenly erupting from the depths of the earth. The mysterious fog that came out of nowhere and covered everything. The Dark Signers caused it all. They're using the energy of the people taken to gain more power!
Seria: So, if you defeat the Dark Signers, everything goes back to normal?
Yusei: Yes.
Sect: We can really get Martha back?
Lyra: And everyone else?
Yusei: Yeah. We really can. Guys, (puts a hand each on Lyra and Sect's shoulders) we're gonna fix everything, I promise. But right now ya have to stay positive; ya need to be brave; guys.
Jack: So. That was quite the promise you made there. We defeat the Dark Signers, and then everyone who disappeared will just magically reappear.
Mina: (Looks worried. Yusei still won't look at anyone.) Ah...
Jack: You don't know that's true!
Yusei: I know.
Jack: So why lie?!
Trudge: We expect you to tell the truth!
Yusei: (Passionate) Look... that's something I just need to believe!
Jack: (Clenches his teeth and sits down hard, pounding his fist on the table. Trudge grabs Yusei by the collar.)
Trudge: What about the kids, they deserve better than that, don't they!
Sect: (Grabs Trudge's wrist.) Hey, come on, everyone's upset! Yusei's just trying to give us a little hope!
Trudge: Ugh...! (Drops Yusei and turns away, overcome with emotion) Stupid hope!
(Akiza and Mina are facing the wall; Akiza looks over her shoulder.)
Akiza: I'm with Yusei. If we're gonna win this, we have to believe that we can protect the people still here, and bring everyone else back.
Jack: This from the girl who terrified everyone around her with her Anger management issues!
Akiza: Yeah— and you know what? No one believed I could change! No one believed except Yusei, and he fought for me! (Akiza, standing strong, is the centre of attention.) So, if he says that we have the power to bring everyone back, then I believe him!
Mina: It doesn't really matter what you believe.
Trudge: Whadya you mean?
Mina: No matter what you think will happen afterwards, you have to reverse the Reactor.
Yusei: (Nods.) Exactly. We have to do what Goodwin told us to do.
(Lyra and Sect nod. Jack looks at her out of the corner of his eye, then straight ahead Seria re-enters the room.)
Jack: Fine. Let's go be heroes.
Lyra: I have a question. That Devack guy said they'd be waiting at the Four Stars of Destiny. Does anyone know what those are?
Mina: My guess is that he's referring to the four control units that were built to maintain the original Reactor.
Seria: Well aren't you smart.
Mina: According to the reports, they were the first part of the system to break when the Reactor reacted. During development, each individual control unit went by a codename— Ccapac-Apu, Ccarayhua, Aslla-Piscu, Cusillu, and Asllicu-Scunti. In the Qechua language, they mean— the Giant, the Lizard, the Hummingbird, the Dragon, and the Monkey.
Akiza: Those're the Nazca lines that disappeared!
Luna: Isn't there a spider too? What about that?
Mina: The spider's Uru, which was the codename for the Reactor itself. In order to reverse the Reactor and stop the flow of negative energy, you have to go to each of those control units and turn them on.
Akiza: That Roman guy is the Spider, right? Does that mean he's the boss?
Seria: How're they supposed to turn on these control unit thingamajigs?
Mina: The dragon cards in your decks. Those were the cards that were used to power up each of the control units. So Luna? It's very important that you get the Ancient Fairy Dragon back from Devack.
Yusei: How do you know all of this?
Mina: Because Professor Fudo entrusted those cards to Director Goodwin.
Yusei: My father had those cards?! Whoa, hang on a sec! So, Roman was lying about my father looking the other way?!
(Flashback- Director Goodwin's office.)
Mina: Why did Professor Fudo have all the control cards? ... Is he the one who shut down the units and caused the Reactor to malfunction?
Goodwin: (Is looking out the window, and seems solemn and serious.) No. Just the opposite. He tried to save them. He did everything he could to stop the Reactor from going wild. During those final moments, he managed to get the cards, and then hand them off to me. (He looks at her from across a desk.)
(Flashback End)
Yusei: Is that all, Mina? Did Goodwin say anything else about my father?
Mina: No, that's it. He just said that your father gave him the cards.
Seria: So, if Goodwin had those cards, how did everyone else end up with 'em?
(Flashback. Goodwin looks even paler than usual.)
Goodwin: I guess you could say that I decided to release the cards into the wild. I wanted to test the powers of destiny. I wanted to see if they would travel from duelist to duelist. He turns back to Mina.) Don't you see? I figured if destiny really was at work, then it would eventually put those cards into the hands of the Signers. And sure enough, the very cards used to power the original Reactor's control unit so many years ago? Guess who has them now. Jack Atlas, Yusei Fudo, and Akiza. (intense, slightly fanatical) Destiny really is guiding us. The Signers will be the ones to reverse the flow of negative energy. They will go to Satellite, and they will battle the Dark Signers.
(End Flashback.)
Yusei: (Stares at Stardust Dragon card.)
Jack: (Tetchy) Well, since Goodwin seems to know so much about destiny, he must know how this whole thing is gonna turn out, right?
Mina: It doesn't work like that. He doesn't know the future. There's no telling what will happen. But Goodwin is done playing his part. The baton has been passed. The rest is up to you. All of you- the fate of the world has been put into your hands.
(The Signers are silent, each feeling the weight of the world placed on his or her shoulders. Mina unrolls a map of Satellite on the table. Four red stars mark out a pentagon around the crater.)
Mina: Here's the location of the four control stations. Giant, Hummingbird, Lizard, Dragon, and Monkey. (She points as she speaks. If we assume the map is oriented north-south, Giant is the east point, Hummingbird the west, Lizard the south, Dragon is north-east and Monkey the north.) They're pretty spread out.
Trudge: What's the plan? Hit all these units up one by one?
Jack: That would be a huge waste of time! Besides a duel is one-on-one; we're gonna hafta split up and go solo. (bares his Sign) Five Signers, five control stations— it's a no-brainer! Who knows— maybe this is more of Goodwin's 'destiny' at work.
Lyra: We were just starting to become a real team!
Yusei: We're still a team, Lyra. All of us. Even if we're apart, we're still fighting for the same thing.
Lyra: I guess you're right.
Trudge: Who's going where?
Yusei: (Looks off into the distance.) I'm pretty sure that the mark of the Giant is Kalin's, so I'll go there. He and I have business.
Akiza: (Repeats Yusei's action.) The Lizard is Misty's mark; I'll head over to that station.
Luna: Devack is the monkey, and... I have to get Ancient Fairy Dragon, so I'm gonna go take him on.
Leo: And I'm gonna go so I can root for ya!
Lyra: Saph and I— I need to duel her… I need answers, and I have a feeling she knows something about this fight… I'm pretty sure her mark is the dragon; me, Sect, Aura, and Seria'll go that way
Jack: So, the Hummingbird must be... That other girl…
Trudge: (To the twins) You kids want a ride to your battle in a Sector patrol car?
Luna: (Nod.) Hm.
Mina: (To Akiza) And if it's okay, I'll go with you, Akiza.
Akiza: (Shrugs) Sure.
Yusei: Alright— tomorrow we save our homes!
(Rickety bridge in the not-yet-light predawn hours, then pan down. Large wooden boards are laid across the wire skeleton of the bridge; two bumpy paths, not bridge slats. We pan down to the near side of the bridge, where three cars, Yusei on his runner on the left side, and Jack on his on the right, are prepared to set off, their headlights valiantly pressing forward into the darkness.)
Yusei: This is it, you guys. Are you ready, Luna? (The car nearest him contains Trudge and the twins.)
Luna: Yup!
Leo: Hey, I'm ready too!
Yusei: (Smile) Good luck.
Jack: Come on, Yusei, we've got duels to duel. Give us a rousing speech and let's be gone!
Yusei: Alright, guys. The Dark Signers are powerful, and right now we're the only ones standing in their way. If you should find yourself up against a wall, just think of the rest of us; think of your friends. We're all in this; and even when we're apart, we're together. Now let's go show these creeps how us Signers do things! (Yusei revs up and takes off, turning left; Jack looks at the two cars over his shoulder.)
Jack: And if any of you loses your duel, you'll have to answer to me! (Jack takes off and turns right; the two cars leave at the same time; Trudge and the twins take an even more immediate left than Yusei's, and Akiza and Mina go straight. Jack, riding alone, is preoccupied.) ("I'm coming to help you, Carly. Cuz when I was hurt, you took care of me, and when I was down, you picked me up. Now it's my chance to return the favour!")
(The eyes of a raven on top of a junk pile glow the red of a mark of the Dragon. Beside this pile of junk, and others like it, drive Trudge and the twins. The dark buildings loom above them. Leo watches them. Luna startles him by putting a hand on his shoulder.)
Luna: Hey—
Leo: Uh?! WAAAAA-AAA-AAAA-AAA-AAAAAAH!
Luna: (Ducks away, scared.)
Leo: Don't scare me like that, Luna!
Luna: You scare me when you scream like that.
Leo: Ugh, sorry, but I'm all wound up and those're the creepiest birds I've ever seen!
Luna: (Suddenly worried) This is wrong. You shouldn't've come with me, Leo.
Leo: Eh... (falsely cheery) Nah, don't worry about me, I'm just pretending to be scared so that you don't have to be scared! Yeah that's it I'm just pretending! See, check it out!
Trudge: (He is driving quietly, and "huhs" when Leo pulls out his duel disk.)
Leo: Ta-da!
Luna: And what's the point of you wearing a duel disk?
Leo: Hehehehe! I'm getting ready! Alright, you Dark Signers, come on and get some!
Luna: I'm the one who's gonna be duelling, not you.
Trudge: Hahahaha. Not too bright, is he?
Luna: (Suddenly she is surrounded by white light and hears a twinkling shriek.) Hah...
Leo: Something wrong?
Luna: What was that screaming just now?
Leo: What screaming, I didn't hear anything!
Luna: (Closes her eyes and puts her hands to her ears, trying to hear it again.) I figured, but I just thought that you might've heard it since it was like so loud and powerful and everything. I think someone from the Spirit World is calling out to me or something.
Leo: Who does it sound like, is it Ancient Fairy Dragon?
Trudge: Hey, what's with all this Spirit World talk?
Leo: Luna can talk to duel monster spirits from the Spirit World.
Trudge: Wha! (Smug) How stupid do you think I am?
Leo: No! It's really true!
Trudge: Right, of course, and my sister can fly. (Syrupy and sarcastic) She's got magic wings made of gold!
Leo: Jerk. Luna can talk to spirits; you're just jealous 'cause you're a boring ordinary guy with no special powers!
(Meanwhile Luna has her hands over her ears, trying to hear the Spirit World. The air in front of her starts to glow, and she hears a coo.)
Luna: Huh? (Kuribon, hovering in the air before her, coos imperatively, its eyes concerned.) Kuribon, what's wrong?
(Kuribon bounces violently up and down; the problem is serious, and urgent!)
Luna: Ohh...! Something bad's happening in the Spirit World, isn't it!
(To Trudge, it appears that Luna is talking to thin air.)
Trudge: Hm? Who're you talking to?
Luna: Be right there. (She closes her eyes, hold up her head, and starts to glow.)
Trudge and Leo: Huh?!
(The light from Luna paints the landscape white, blinding them. A thin column of multi-coloured pastel light shoots into the sky with an eerie whistling sound. Halfway across the Satellite.)
(With Yusei. He Notices the light.)
Yusei: (Notices the light.) Huh? (He brakes sideways.) That's coming from the direction Luna went!
(With Sect, Lyra, Aura and Seria. Lyra looks out of the car window, her body suddenly glows a bright white, as she disappears.)
(With Leo and Trudge.)
Leo: Aaaaaaaaahhhh!
Trudge: (He is trying valiantly to keep the car on the road when he counts a huge beam of blinding light as one of his passengers. It dissipates, and the car comes to a halt.) Ugh! What're you kids doing back there?!
Leo: (He is still bracing himself. The seatbelt beside him is empty. Luna has disappeared.) Aaaagh, uh! Ah! Argh?!
Trudge: What's going on?!
Leo: It's Luna, she's gone!
Trudge: What?!
Leo: That big bright light just now, I think it took her away!
Trudge: Oh, right, let me guess, she was transported to the Spirit World.
Leo: Exactly!
Trudge: Nuh-uh! That's not possible.
Leo: It is so!
Trudge: (Climbs out of the car and starts looking around.) She wasn't beamed anywhere! Come on, let's look for her.
Leo: Don't waste your time.
Trudge: Hey! Luna!
Leo: Man, grownups never listen! ... But if she is wandering out here all alone, that wouldn't be good!
Trudge: Luna! Where are you!
Leo: Luna! You're not here, right?! If you are here; say something!
Trudge: (Climbs a mound of garbage and looks around.) Luna! (grumbles) Agh! You gotta be kidding me!
Leo: (Running.) Hey Luna, come out! Lu-na!
Trudge: HEY! LUNA!
Leo (Rounds a corner and abruptly stops, amazed at something in front of him. We pan out.) Whoa! (He is standing within view of a large mechanical device, a spire like the one at the bottom of the crater, with four prongs on top like an antenna.) That thing's pretty big! (He stands only half as tall as the base of the thing; it's maybe five times that height.) There it is; the Mark of the Monkey. There's ancient Latin-American designs carved around the base of the structure, centrepieces with a monkey.) This must be the control thing Mina was talking about. Hey, Dark Signer monkey guy! Are you in there?! Hel-lo, I'm ready to duel!
Devack: I've been waiting for you, Signer. (Purple fire erupts from the ground behind the mechanism, and spreads, drawing a tail with three coils of parallel lines. The Mark of the Monkey appears on the landscape of the Satellite, and reflects against the clouds.)
(Akiza and Mina's location.)
Akiza: (Looks up.) Check it out, the monkey symbol! Luna's duel must be starting!
(With Jack)
Jack: (He has stopped his runner and climbed off, standing beside it and starting out at the Monkey.) The final round has begun.
(Monkey control unit.)
Leo: So, if I'm in the middle of this monkey barrier, that means—
Devack: (Appears behind him.) Who are you?
Leo: Ah!
Devack: What's going on?! You're not a Signer, what're you doing here?!
Leo: (Sighs, and turns tough.) I'm gonna duel you! That is if you think you're strong enough to take me on!
Trudge: (Runs up a pile of debris and comes into view, outside the symbol.) Leo!
(At the duel.)
Devack: Is this some kind of joke?! Where's the little girl?! Why isn't she here! I told the other signer to tell her to come!
Leo: Yeah, well, she's busy! You're gonna hafta duel me instead, mister! I may not be a Signer, but that doesn't mean that I can't rock a deck! Now come on! (Activates duel disk) Let's see what you're made of!
Devack: I applaud your enthusiasm. I really do. But I'm afraid that you simply do not have the power to match me, boy!
Leo: You don't know that!
Devack: If you insist on being destroyed— so be it!
Both: Let's duel!
(As they draw their opening hands, we glimpse them. Devack is holding Ape Magician, Ape Fighter, Dark Tuner Dark Ape, a spell, and a trap; Leo is holding a spell, a trap, Morphtransition, Gadget Hauler, and Pot of Avarice.)
Trudge: Leo! Get outta there, don't be a fool!
Yusei and Seria: (Pull up at the bottom of Trudge's vantage point on his runner.)
Trudge: Huh? Guys! What're you doing here?
Yusei: (Takes off his helmet and props the sidebar, climbing off and joining Trudge) I turned around when I saw that pillar of light. What's going on?
Seria, Aura, and Sect: (Get out of the car)
Trudge: Well first, Luna disappeared to who knows where.
Yusei: She what? She must've gone to the Spirit World for some reason.
Trudge: Ugh, great, now you're babbling about Spirit World and fairy tales?!
Yusei: It's not a fairy tale, it's real! Luna must've gone to rescue Ancient Fairy Dragon!
Trudge: Ancient what?!
Yusei: I'll explain later, right now we gotta stop this duel! Hey! Devack! That kid's not a Signer, ya can't duel him!
Devack: I warned him, and once a shadow duel begins, it cannot be stopped. Not until somebody wins, that is!
Yusei: Urgh...
Leo: Let's get this battle going! It's my turn! I draw! (Draws Morphtronic Magnen) Awesome! I summon Morphtronic Magnen in defense mode! With Morphtronic Magnen in play, you can't attack any other monster on my field! Now I'm placing one card facedown and ending my turn! ("By laying my "Morphtransition" trap card facedown, I can trigger its effect and negate any attack my Morphtronic monsters might take. And then if I'm able to summon another Morphtronic Magnen on my next turn, I'll create a magnetic lock that'll stop him from attacking completely!")
Yusei: Leo, stop this! You gotta find a way to get outta this duel!
Leo: No way! Don't you get it? If I defeat Devack, Luna won't have to duel 'im!
Devack: Hehehehehehehe.
Yusei: Leo...!
Trudge: All we can do now is hope he can beat this guy.
(Meanwhile, in a glade in the Spirit World, it's the same as the last time Luna arrived there, with the one difference that this forest is nowhere near approaching sunny. It's misty and gloomy with fog. Luna wakes up on the ground.)
Luna: Ugh... The Spirit World. I made it back.
Lyra: You're not the only one…
(She sits up, a bit wearied or aching from the transfer.)
Luna: That light must've brought us here...
(Kuribon appears beside her head, cooing loudly.)
Luna: Oh, hey, Kuribon! Huh?! (She and Lyra look, and Ancient Fairy Dragon's mountain is peeking above the trees nearby.)
Lyra: The mountain where Ancient Fairy Dragon was sealed away! Was she the one I heard screaming out before?
(Devack Control Station.)
Devack: It's my turn, boy! I draw! (Draws card.) And I summon Magician Ape in attack mode!
Leo: ("I usually hate magical primates, but since this thing's too weak to destroy my Magnen, I don't mind it too much. Just as long as I don't have to worry about any special abilities or anything.")
Devack: I now activate Magician Ape's special ability. Which means that once a turn, if I take one card from my hand and send it to my graveyard, Magician Ape is able to take control of one of your monsters!
Leo: Huh?
Devack: And with that out of the way, Magician Ape attacks you directly!
Leo: Aa-agh-ohh-ogh!
Trudge and Yusei: LEO!
Leo: Haa-aaa-agh!
(Spirit World)
(Leo's screams echo in the Spirit World. Luna stops walking and looks around.)
Luna: Ohh! That sounded like Leo just now! You don't think he's duelling, do you, Kuribon?!
(Monkey Control Unit- Leo is on his knees, still wincing.)
Leo: ("Man. That really smarted. That couldn't've been worse than when Sect duelled Sayer… could it?!")
Devack: Now you know the true power of a shadow duel. Don't worry; I will try to send you to the netherworld with as little pain as possible! That is the only mercy I can spare you!
Leo: ("Luna...!")
(Spirit World)
Luna: ("Leo...!")
(Monkey Control Unit)
(Aura, Seria, Sect, Yusei and Trudge watch tensely; Leo's in danger and there's nothing they can do to help him.)
Trudge: Urgh...
Yusei: Urgh...
Devack: (Watches his small opponent dispassionately; Leo is determined to fight to the end.) Mmmm...
Leo: Uggghhh...
Devack: Ready, boy? It's your move.
Yusei: It's finally Leo's turn.
Yusei: But I'm worried.
Aura: Huh?
Seria: He doesn't look good…
Trudge: He's a tough kid. He can handle whatever Devack throws his way.
Yusei: You're right, Trudge.
Devack: Interesting. Did you hear your friends? They seem to believe that you can handle more punishment; do you care to test that theory, young Leo?
Leo: Well, to be honest, I hate tests. But if it means keeping my sister safe, then what's the first question pal, (Draws card) 'cuz my deck's full of answers! (He drew Morphtronic Magnen Bar.) ("Although a cheat sheet might come in handy, 'cuz as long as Devack has Magician Ape on his field, he can take control of any monster I summon! Mm. But maybe that's what I should let him do.") I summon my Morphtronic Magnen Bar in defense mode! And now I'll end my turn with a face-down!
Devack: It looks like you're going to fail.
Leo: ("No, I'm not! I promise, Luna!")
(Spirit World- Street. Lyra and Luna sit at a bench looking exhausted)
Luna: We looked everywhere, and yet we still can't find Torunka or Regulus!
Lyra: I'm gonna go and check behind the fountain; just to be safe. (She stands up and walks over to the fountain. After she checks, she returns to Luna's location.)
Luna: Anything?
Lyra: Nope, nothing…
Luna: (Sigh) Lyra, where was it you met Torunka again? That may lead us to finding the two of them.
Lyra: If you must know it was in a hole in the ground.
Luna: Was it anywhere near here?
Lyra: I think. Follow me.
(Spirit World- Backstreet. There is a crate standing next to the wall as Lyra walks into the corner. She knocks on the ground. The hatch slowly opens as Torunka looks up at the two.)
Torunka: Lyra, Luna!
Luna: Torunka.
Lyra: (Helps Torunka out of the ground.) Where's Regulus…?
Torunka: Well, you see… he's erm… he's kinda been captured…?
Luna: What?! Whadya mean, "Captured"?
Torunka: Right when those monkeys were about to catch me, Regulus throws me into a bush and they get him instead.
Lyra: Spare me the details…
Luna: (Sigh)
Torunka: I'm so sorry! (He bows his head in shame.)
Lyra: Wouldn't that mean he's in Zeman's Castle right now?
Torunka: I'd say so, yes.
Luna: There's not much time so we'll have to split up once we get there.
Lyra: Yeah…I guess I'll look for Zeman.
Torunka: Don't just look for him, beat him up, you know; with karate or something… you… do know karate… right?
Lyra: No, I don't know karate, but my psychic powers are pretty close.
Luna: Oh, yeah. I almost forgot you were psychic… (Sweat drop)
Torunka: Then let's go!
(Devack's Control Unit)
Devack: It's my move, boy! Yah! (Draws Card.) And I use Magician Ape's special ability! Now, by sending one of my cards to the graveyard (Ape Fighter), your monster becomes my property.
Leo: Argh...
Devack: Morphtronic Magnen Bar, join the dark shadows!
Leo: Argh!
Trudge: What's he doing? At this rate, Devack's gonna take the kid's whole deck!
Yusei: Not quite.
Trudge: Huh?
Leo: Alright! You fell for it! Now you can't attack because your Magnen Bar is in defense mode!
Trudge: Ha! That's telling 'im!
Devack: Shame, I'm afraid it won't make a difference. I sacrifice your Magnen Bar to summon my Fighter Ape!
Trudge: Well he sure threw a monkey wrench into things.
Devack: Since you're defenceless, Fighter Ape can attack you directly!
Trudge: No— LEO!
Leo: I play my face-down, Remake Puzzle! Now if I destroy a Morphtronic monster, even if you control it, your attack ends automatically! And there's more! Now I get to summon another Morphtronic monster from my graveyard, to make up for the one I just sacrificed! And I choose, Morphtronic Magnen Bar!
Devack: All you've done is prolong your misery, boy! You don't really think you'll win, do you? You can't defeat me! And then when I'm through with you, I'm coming after your sister, next!
(With Akiza and Mina)
(Mina has stopped driving, she and Akiza are looking up at the monkey symbol in the distant sky.)
Mina: Look, there must be a shadow duel there!
Akiza: You're right, Mina. But there's something different about this one. For some reason my dragon sign's not glowing.
(With Jack)
Jack: ("Luna's supposed to be duelling under that shadow mark. But I can't feel our Signer connection. It's like she fell off the face of the Earth!")
(Zeman's Castle)
Lyra: Alright guys, remember the plan!
Torunka: You enter from the basement then free Regulus and get outta there.
Lyra: Yeah.
Luna: Then you meet up with us here and we disguise up as magicians- except Torunka- we beat the bad guy, and we free Ancient Fairy Dragon and get outta there!
Lyra: Yep. That's pretty much it in a nutshell.
(Monkey control unit)
Leo: I hope this works! Okay! (Draws Card) Finally! I summon Morphtronic Celfon to the field, in attack mode! it's time for me to dial up some trouble! See, since my Celfon's in attack mode, he chooses a number between one and six! Whatever he picks, I can draw that many cards, and if there's another Morphtronic in there, I can summon him automatically! Three! Al-right! (He draws "Factory of 100 Machines", another spell and Morphtronic Remoten) Hope you brought your earbuds! I summon, Morphtronic Remoten!
Devack: That's quite... entertaining.
Leo: Yeah? Well this party's just getting started! I activate "Level Mirroring" (spell)! Now I get to choose a monster on your field and match his level to one a' mine! In other words, Magnen's now as tough as your Ape! And with that power boost, it's time to get things rocking! So now I tune my Remoten with my Magnen Bar and Celfon, to morph my Morphtronics into something new! I synchro-summon— my Power Tool Dragon!
Sect: All right! Now Leo's added a little firepower to his side of the field! I didn't think that he had a combo like that in him!
Yusei: (Has a satisfied half-smile on his face, proud of Leo despite his worry.) ("It's a good start. And I know it's only gonna get better!")
Devack: Hahahahahahaha. Is that the best you can do? Because if it is, yours is a future bathed in shadow. Hahahahahahaha! That's no Signer dragon; that's a toy you should've left in your playroom! I hope your sister will be more of a challenge!
Leo: Too bad you'll never find out, 'cause I'm about to take your game apart! First I activate my Dragon's special ability, which lets me add a random equip spell to my hand! And as luck would have it, I get to use the power of Break! Draw! So as soon as my Power Tool Dragon destroys one of your monsters, I get to draw another card! You might think my cards are no match for your dark deck, but I'm about to shed some light on the fact that my monsters are the best beasts around!
Leo: Now! Attack Magician Ape!
Devack: Urgh-urgh!
Leo: Well that was quite the vanishing act, wasn't it! Now, if you've got something else to say about the power of my Dragon, go right ahead!
(Devack doesn't reply, smiling tolerantly.)
Leo: Nothing?! What's the matter, dragon got your tongue?
Devack: Joke all you want. It's my turn now, and your dragon's about to meet its match! I sense good things. Hahahahahahaha! (He's holding a hand over one eye, as though he has a headache)
Leo: What're you talking about?!
Devack: You human beings! So narrow-minded! You have no idea that this battle is being waged in the Spirit World as well! I assume that's where your poor sister is right now— isn't she.
Leo: Leave Luna outta this! You're duelling me! Now draw your card and go!
Devack: My pleasure. (Draws Card.) Though once you see what I have in mind, you'll wish I waited! Now, meet your doom in the guise of my dark tuner monster Dark Ape!
Seria: But it's powerless!
Yusei: Not for long. Just watch.
Devack: Your friend Yusei knows what he's talking about. Behold! By using my Dark Wave spell, I can convert a monster's level into negative energy. Now you can witness the real purpose of my Dark Ape, as I use him to combine forces with Fighter Ape! When the shadows are devoured by even darker shadows, the curtain pulls back and reveals- a world without light! Come forth, Zeman the Ape King! Good luck using any spells or traps; since the strength of this King overrules all their powers!
Leo: Huh?! So what! All I need is my Dragon; he's got more attack points than your pathetic little monkey has anyway!
Aura: Yeah!
Trudge: Looks like old Devack made a little error in judgment, eh, Yusei?
Yusei: (Doesn't answer.)
Devack: My only error has been not finishing you off sooner! But I'll rectify that right now!
Leo: Ohh...
Devack: I play the field spell, Closed Forest!
Leo: Not a field spell!
Yusei: Oh no! Now Devack's got everything he needs to summon one of those Earthbound Immortals against Leo!
Leo: WHOA!
(Through the purple mist, almost within it, can be seen ghostly dead trees, their branches spiking toward the sky.)
Yusei: Devack activated a field spell; he's done everything he needs to, to summon an Earthbound Immortal!
Trudge: Not that!
Devack: By channelling the dark power of the "Closed Forest" field spell, Zeman the Ape King will gain one hundred attack points for every monster in my graveyard. And since I have five monsters already there... Zeman the Ape King gains five hundred attack points!
Leo: I don't suppose a banana would solve this!
Devack: Let's battle! Zeman the Ape King, dismantle that Power Tool Dragon! Go, Cursed Flare!
Leo: I got a little surprise for you! By sending "Break! Draw!" to my graveyard, my Dragon can avoid your attack!
Leo: Maybe so, but your life-points are another story. Aa-aa-Aaaagh! Huh? Whoa! Power Tool Dragon is shielding me from Devack's dark energy! He's totally protecting me!
Trudge: That was close!
Leo: Oh, man. I wish my sister was here. LUNAAAAA!
Yusei: Leo!
Trudge: Stay strong, kid!
Leo: (Looks upwards at Power Tool Dragon.) Hey big guy, you okay? (Power Tool Dragon nods; Leo sighs, content and relieved)
Devack: Your monsters can't protect you forever, boy! And these two face-downs are going to prove it to you!
Leo: Well good luck with that! It's my turn! And I draw! (He draws a trap card, Respect Synchron.) ("I've gotta find a way to take Zeman the Ape King down!") I activate my Dragon's special ability! Now I move a random equip spell from my deck to my hand! 11:00 (think) ("Come on... Please...?") (He Draws; it's the spell card Megamorph.) Megamorph! All right! I'm equipping Power Tool Dragon with this spell card! Check it!
Leo: This bad boy's about to double your trouble! Huh?! That's weird! Its attack points stayed the same! What gives?
Devack: Little fool! You're trying to win with cards you can't comprehend! Your feeble attempt to outduel me is over! With our life-points even, the effect of your Megamorph won't work!
Leo: You gotta be kidding me! That card usually turns the tables when it works! That's like my best card! Now what do I do?!
Devack: You lose. Like I told you, a normal person like you could never defeat a Dark Signer like me!
Leo: Urgh...
Yusei: Leo!
Leo: Huh?
Yusei: Just stay cool! You've got all kinds of great cards in your deck; but if you panic and stop believing in your cards, they won't be able to help you! You gotta stay strong, Leo, you have to believe- that's what duelling's about! Believing in your cards is the same thing as believing in yourself!
Leo: I know, but— Argh! (He looks back at his hand; Gadget Hauler, Pot of Avarice, Urgent Tuning, and Respect Synchron.)
Leo: ("Wait— Yusei's right! The only way I can win this duel, is if I trust myself, and my deck!") I switch Power Tool Dragon to defense mode and end my turn!
Devack: Fool! One cannot win a shadow duel- if one cannot attack! You've played right into my hands!
Leo: (Faces him, poker-faced.)
Leo: Argh...
Devack: It's my turn! And I think I'll start this round by attacking Power Tool Dragon with my Ape King! Go, Cursed Flare!
Leo: Bring it on! Since Power Tool Dragon is in defense mode, my equip spell is gonna save me!
Devack: I'm afraid not! Not after I've activated the Roaring Earth trap! When a beast monster attacks a monster in defense mode, this card deals you the extra damage!
Leo: Ohh! Argh! But wait! By sending Power Tool Dragon's equip spell to the graveyard, I can negate its destruction! Huh! What's going on?! (Power Tool Dragon has once again shielded him from the brunt of the attack. As Leo watches, his dragon begins to fall apart; part of an arm hinge snaps off and something explodes inside a knee hinge, leaving a thin trail of smoke.) Power Tool Dragon is taking damage! But why?
Devack: When the Roaring Earth trap card is in play, it weakens one of the monsters on your field, robbing it of three hundred attack and defense points!
Leo: It does what?! (Power Tool Dragon has continued to sustain damage; the most visible is that one of its shoulder plates has fractured; the left side is whole and round, but a third of the right one has fallen away, and the rest is cracked. Power Tool Dragon is steaming around the edges.)
Devack: Next, I'll place one card facedown and end my turn. How pathetic. Just like your ridiculous monster you linger before me, looking defeated and miserable.
Leo: (Looks up at his dragon.) ("Power Tool Dragon. Despite everything that's happening to you, you've still got my back!") (Leo is deeply moved; he turns back to Devack, all fight— if Power Tool Dragon's fighting for him, he's got to do the same!) Listen up! No matter what you throw at me, I'm going to protect Luna!
Yusei: ("I just hope Leo can protect himself, 'cause if he doesn't, both he and Luna are done for.")
(Zeman's castle- inside)
Zeman: What?! Regulus has finally been re-captured?
Eiki: (Kneels before him who responds.) Oh-oh-oh-Aah!
Zeman: Most excellent! Tell whichever soldier that captured him to feast on all the bananas his stomach can take!
Eiki: It wasn't one of the soldiers that captured him, my king.
Zeman: So then who was it?!
Zape: A wandering wizard of some sort.
Zeman: A wandering wizard? Show him in!
(The huge double doors open, and a procession marches through an aisle made of monkey soldiers with minus staves. They roll a large wheeled cage in which Regulus is feigning sleep. Luna and Lyra are leading the procession, cloaked in nondescript tan, including a turban and a cloth over their mouths and noses, Lyra is carrying her minus staff with the head well wrapped in cloth. Torunka is walking next to her, his too-large hat effectively obscuring his identity.)
Torunka: That's right, that's right, stand aside! We're hauling precious cargo here!
(The procession stops before the large reflecting pool in Zeman's throne room, and Luna, Lyra, and Torunka bow only slightly.)
Lyra: Great and powerful Zeman the Ape King, it is a true honour to be in your presence.
Torunka: And speaking of presents, we brought you one!
Zeman: You may raise your heads.
(Luna and Lyra open their eyes as they raise her heads, determined.)
Luna: ("There he is. This is it.")
Lyra: ("Sunlight Unicorn! He's got all the spirits sealed away...")
Zeman: I'm told that you're a wizard, and from the looks of things, a very young one at that.
Luna: True—
Torunka: But we're wise beyond our years.
Zeman: How is it that you were able to capture the mighty Regulus, when he has managed to best and evade my entire army?
Lyra: (Gripping her swaddled minus staff) With the power of this staff.
Zeman: Huh?
Lyra: Icki-tiki-bo-riki, eeny-meeny, meeny-miney-moe! (She turns on her knees and points her staff at Regulus.) Awaken!
Regulus: (Opens his eyes; the monkey soldiers wince back as he roars at finding himself in captivity, but Lyra, holds her ground, the master of the fearsome beast.)
Lyra: Calm down!
Regulus: (Immediately settles back down to sleep.)
Zeman: So! You have cast a control spell over this mighty beast!
Lyra: You got it! My master can use her magic staff to make any spirit do her bidding!
Zeman: I don't believe it! I've never heard of magic that can control spirits like that.
Torunka and Luna: (Look nervous; Lyra isn't afraid.)
Lyra: Are you doubting my power? Perhaps I should use my staff to turn your soldiers into a bunch of bananas!
Zeman: Forgive me— you've brought me Regulus; that's all that matters. Now, to seal him away forever!
(The monkeys advance on the cage with their minus staves.)
Luna: You can't do that, great king!
Zeman: Why not?
Lyra: If you try sealing him away right now, you'll undo the spell I'm using to control him. And as soon as my spell breaks, he'll become too powerful to subdue.
Zeman: So what do I do with him? Leave him in that cage and watch him perform tricks all day?
Lyra: My, um, powers tell me that your true goal is to bring Ancient Fairy Dragon completely under the minus curse so that you can absorb her power; is that correct?
Zeman: And what if it is, wizard?
Lyra: Well, Regulus is bound to Ancient Fairy Dragon. He is her loyal servant.
Zeman: I know that. But I could not get the minus curse to work on her, so I sealed her temporarily within the great mountain. Now if you know something I don't, you'd better talk.
Lyra: Very well, great king. Because of their bond, you can't fully cast the minus curse on one without the other. So you're going to have to remove the seal on Ancient Fairy Dragon, and then act quickly to curse them both at the same time.
Zeman: You're seriously suggesting that I remove the seal and set her free?
Luna: (Nod.) Yes. I'm afraid there's no other way.
Zeman: Hmmmm...
(Lyra is calm, Luna lets out a nervous little whimper; Torunka is trying not to hyperventilate. As there is a long pause.)
Zeman: So be it. Young wizard, I will do as you ask.
(Luna, Lyra and Torunka bow.)
Torunka: (Whispering) Yes! He bought it!
Luna: (Whispering) Shh! Don't blow this!
Zeman: Ancient Fairy Dragon, appear before me!
(He points his minus staff at the pool in the centre of the room; it starts to shine with light, and a big column of yellowish light appears. Torunka winces back from it. The column recedes, and now the pool shows... Luna and Torunka get to their feet and look over the edge; it's Ancient Fairy Dragon's mountain!)
Luna: ("Hang on, Ancient Fairy Dragon! We're gonna save you— or get petrified trying...")
(The control tower. Cusillu stands amid the dead, white branches of the Closed Forest field spell, beneath a dark, clouded sky imprinted with the shadowy lines of the fiery geoglyph below. Down in the haze of purple flames, Leo and his Power Tool Dragon in defense mode face down Devack and Zeman the Ape King. Yusei and Trudge watch from the top of a downed building, powerless to help.)
Devack: After I send you to the netherworld, Leo, your sister's next!
Leo: (Draws and his deck shuffles automatically.) That's only if you can beat me! And in case that Dark Signer brain of yours doesn't work too well, I'll remind you that I get a random equip spell thanks to my dragon! (mutters) Just please be the card I need to take out that Ape King! (He draws his random equip spell, eyes squeezed shut, then slowly looks; when he sees it, his face lights up with joy—it's Double Tool C & D!) ("Now that monkey's a goner!")
(Zeman's Castle.)
Luna: (Whispering.) So you think Zeman'll fall for this?
Torunka: (Whispering.) You betcha.
Lyra: (Whispering.) I hope you're right. These wizard costumes got us in the castle, but I'm not sure this stolen staff'll help free Luna's dragon.
Zeman: You've done well to bring me Regulus. Now my plan can be realized. Once the bonds of the Fairy Dragon are removed, I'll use the minus curse on her and her loyal servant, to bring her powers under my control, correct?
Lyra: Uh… Yup.
Zeman: I should hope so. Because if the three of you are wrong, I will seal you away for all eternity!
Torunka: Why so negative? The plan's gonna work! It's practically monkey-proof! Have a banana already!
Zeman: It's time! Let the ritual begin! Ancient Fairy Dragon, with the power I possess, I release you from your prison!
(In the sky above Ancient Fairy Dragon's mountain, a giant minus staff changes its hands and glows. The dragon in the rock begins to regain her normal, vibrant colour.)
Torunka: (Whispered.) Yes! Zeman's doing it! He fell for it!
Luna: (Whispering.) Now let's just hope the rest of our plan works!
(Ancient Fairy Dragon is being drawn further and further out of the rock, and now looks perhaps as though she is made of glazed ceramic.)
Zeman: (To Zape.) What are you waiting for?! Bring me Regulus!
Zape: Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo! (He runs to do his bidding. The door to Regulus' cage is opened; the lion is still feigning sleep.)
Lyra: (Dramatic and overblown) Oh, great Regulus! Hear my words! You hath been summoned to thy chamber-ness... thingy.
Regulus: (Stands and walks placidly out of the cage. Luna and Torunka lead him around the edge of the pool toward Zeman.) ("Well done, Luna. Now use the staff you've stolen from Zeman's soldiers to reverse your dragon's curse just like you did with me.")
Torunka: (Skips along joyfully in his too-large clothes.) I told you we knew what we were doing! Now my friend here is gonna use Regulus to complete the ritu-uh-uh-ohh-whoa! (He trips spectacularly and knocks Luna over, too. They're surrounded by monkey soldiers by the time they hit the ground.)
Torunka: Urgh...
(When Lyra's staff hit the ground, its bandages started unravelling. Torunka picks it up, rubbing his head, and they fall off completely and the hands move back to where they were before. He laughs nervously.)
Torunka: Hahaha, haha, now this staff may look like yours, but funny story, it belongs to—
Zeman: Wizard!
Torunka: Aaaagh!
Zeman: What is this?!
Luna: Say something!
Torunka: So okay, we may've accidentally stolen one of your staffs, but, it's not like we were planning on wielding it or anything!
Eiki: Hey!
Torunka: Argh!
Zape: Quick, stop him!
Eiki: He can reverse the dark curse of Ancient Fairy Dragon with that thing! He must be captured!
Luna and Lyra: Why don't we all just calm dah-ah-ah-own!
(They rise on her knees to speak, before tripping over their robes and falls on top of Torunka. His hat goes flying, and rolls to the feet of a monkey soldier next to Zeman. Moreover, Luna and Lyra are unmasked; with their hats and veils fallen off.)
Zape: That's the girl we saw earlier in the city!
Eiki: She's not a wizard!
Torunka: But I am!
Lyra: He looks young but he's actually really powerful!
Zeman: Oh really! Well let's see if he's powerful enough to help you escape! Get them!
Luna, Lyra, and Torunka: Aaaagh!
Regulus: Need a lift?!
Luna: Regulus!
(Regulus comes running out of nowhere, completely forgotten, and evades the monkey soldiers to grab Luna and Torunka on his back. They run for their lives, chased by a horde of monkeys.)
Luna: A-aa-Aah!
Eiki: Don't let 'em get away!
Zeman: You'll regret toying with me! Ancient Fairy Dragon, I bind thee to thy rock!
(As they flee, Zeman points his staff and Ancient Fairy Dragon fades back into the mountain.)
Luna: How do we save her now, Regulus?
Torunka: This is all my fault! I'm a clumsy old man!
Regulus: Lyra, you'll have to give me your staff!
Lyra: But why?
Regulus: If I get close enough to Zeman, he'll have to use his staff to stop me; when the two strike each other, their powers will cancel out, and lift the curse from everyone!
Luna: That's a big "if"!
Torunka: And speaking of "ifs", what if it doesn't work?!
Regulus: It has to! Otherwise all of this world will fall under Zeman's control!
Lyra: Ah! (She offers her staff, and Regulus grips it in his mouth. Then he head-butts the door of the cage he was kept in; Luna and Torunka are inside, protected from the monkeys.)
Regulus; I jammed the door; you'll be safe! (He runs toward the throne; Eiki and Zape surround Lyra, Luna and Torunka.)
Eiki: Not if we have anything to say about it!
Lyra, Luna, and Torunka: (Recoil from the bars.)
(Devack's Control Station.)
Leo: It's time I take the leash off my dragon, Devack! (Power Tool Dragon switches from defense mode to attack mode.) Now, if you've thought he was tough before, just wait until you see the upgrade that I give his hardware! First up, I add the equip spell Double Tool C and D, so not only are we going full-on pneumatic, but I get to add another thousand attack points to my beast!
Devack: All those power tools and no safety goggles. You should be more careful, especially since all you've done is match the attack points of Zeman the Ape King.
Leo: (Swings his arm around and around.) That's what I was hoping for! Now! Attack! And give this Ape King the royal treatment!
(Zeman's Castle.)
Regulus: Urrghhh!
Zeman: Aaaa-argh! (He raises his staff and it meets the one Regulus grips. Freeze frame; Regulus doesn't fall out of the air. Energy crackles all over the place. Zeman is glowing purple.) What is happening?!
Regulus: Urrghhh!
Luna: Regulus!
Torunka: He's doing it!
Regulus: Ancient Fairy Dragon! I release you from your prison! The dark curse is broken! Mmmm-agh! (He breaks the freeze-frame and keeps falling, toward Zeman...)
(Devack's Control Station.)
Devack: What a wasted effort. Unless—
Leo: That's right! You forgot my Dragon has a little bonus when he's equipped; he can't be destroyed!
(Zeman's Castle.)
(Regulus hits again, and the staffs collide directly; huge white-out of light; the monkey soldiers are destroyed as though in battle. Pink fire races across the floor— straight for Luna and Torunka! Luna and Lyra's Signs glow.)
Luna: We'll protect you! Arrgh!
Zeman: You may destroy me, Regulus, but not before I transfer the power of the minus curse to the Dark Signer Devack!
Luna: Huh!
Zeman: Aa-aa-Aaaagh! (Shatters.)
(Devack's Control Station.)
Leo: Yea-haha! I'll just toss that Double Tool C and D, and Power Tool Dragon gets to hang around for a little R and R!
(Power Tool Dragon's attack points go back to 2000.)
Trudge: Nice move! Now that Devack's gone and lost his little monkey friend-
Yusei: Leo's gotten himself into more trouble!
Trudge: Huh?
Devack: Hahahahahahaha.
Leo: So you think that's funny, huh?!
Devack: Yes, I do. I always find it amusing when a young duelist walks so willingly into one of my traps. And with the power of my Dark Matter, these two monsters will be escorting you straight to the Netherworld! (Dark Matter is a trap that summoned two monsters in facedown defense mode, apparently from his deck. Still they appear on the field; they're Ape Magician and Ape Fighter.)
Leo: While you keep playing around with your gang of gorillas, I'm gonna equip my Dragon with a Power Converter! You're up!
Devack: Hahahahahahaha...
(Zeman's Castle. Moonlight and smoke filter through a hole blown through the ceiling, and smoke, dust, or mist hangs in the air inside.)
Luna: Regulus!
Lyra: Torunka!
Luna and Lyra: Where are you?!
Torunka: (Now an old man) I'm here, Luna. It looks like our lion friend was able to lift the curse after all.
(The mist clears between them. Torunka has transformed back into the old and powerful wizard he once was. He's very tall and his helmet and shoulder pads are still very reminiscent of the Dark Magician; his robe carries simple, strong designs, and he has a thick black cape. His staff has also grown taller.)
Torunka: Back to my old self— emphasis on "old"!
Luna: Is— that really you?!
Torunka: (He laughs and winks.) Told you I was an old man!
Luna: Yeah, but— grandpa-old? You're- you're older than a wrinkle on dirt!
Torunka: (Chuckles)
Lyra: That means it worked! Regulus broke the curse! (She and Luna high-five.)
Torunka: Mmm.
Regulus: Luna! Lyra!
All: (Turn; Regulus is striding toward them from across the chamber; his armour has suffered some serious damage.)
Luna: You're okay!
Torunka: Thank you, Regulus, for all your help.
Regulus: The rule of Zeman the Ape King is no more.
Luna: That means, my Ancient Fairy Dragon is free!
Regulus: I'm afraid part of the curse still lives, Luna.
Luna: What?!
Regulus: Your friend and the other free wizards have regained their true age, but the captured duel spirits remain trapped. Zeman transferred the power of the curse to Devack. Until he's defeated, the duel spirits are his prisoners.
(Devack's Control Station)
Devack: It's my turn, Leo. I draw! Hm. And it looks like thanks are in order for enabling me to summon two monsters to the field last round.
Leo: Why's that?!
Devack: You see; I need two sacrifices to summon out my Earthbound Immortal! (He holds up the card, laughing.)
Yusei: Not good!
Devack: "Not good" is right, Yusei. (The clenched fist appears in the sky, this one dark and pulsing purple against ripples of yellow light.)
Leo: Oh no— it's gonna take me an' my friends away!
Devack: You don't have to worry about that; this Immortal requires a different kind of power source- one that exists in the Spirit World. By the power of the Dark Signers, I summon Earthbound Immortal Cusillu!
Yusei: We have to save Leo!
Trudge: How?!
(The flames at the border of the duel flare.)
Yusei, Sect, Seria, Aura and Trudge: Argh!
Leo: Uuuuwaaaaaaaaahh!
(Zeman's castle. The monkey Sign appears against the clouds.)
Luna: That's Devack's mark of the monkey!
(Purple lights ooze from the carvings on the walls, streaming up through the hole to the symbol.)
Regulus: It's absorbing the duel spirits!
Luna: No!
Regulus: Soon they'll all be gone, Luna!
Torunka: We have to find a way to stop this!
Lyra: That's if these Earthbound Immortals even can be stopped!
(Devack's Control Station. Yellow lightning strikes again and again around the duel as the flames that form the monkey symbol climb higher. Purple lights osmose from the flames and soar toward the fist.)
Devack: Watch as all your pathetic duel spirits become the fuel for your destruction! With their energies I can summon the most powerful monster ever!
(The fist explodes into a pillar of purple light. Then that vanishes, and the earth begins to rumble. Cusillu, the monkey Earthbound Immortal, appears, the coils of its tail a bit too perfect to be real. It raises bony fists above its thin, skull-like head.)
Leo: Aaaaaaaaahhhh!
(Cusillu is huge, black glowing with yellow light, towering above the Reactor Star it defends.)
Trudge: Oh, come on! What's with this guy and the monkeys?!
Yusei: You got me; all I know is Leo's gotta figure out a way to tame that beast!
Devack: Behold my Earthbound Immortal Cusillu! There's nothing in your deck that can stop its power! It's immune to any attacks, traps, and spells you might throw its way!
Leo: Just my luck.
Devack: There's also the not-so-little matter of his graveyard bonus. Thanks to my Closed Forest field spell, it receives an extra hundred attack points for every monster in my graveyard! Perhaps next time you'll think twice about taking your sister's place in a shadow duel! Earthbound Immortal, attaaaack!
Yusei: He doesn't have a monster to stop that thing!
Trudge: Leo!
Leo: Who needs a monster- when you've got this! I play my spell card Power Converter! Soon as I send it to the graveyard, all of my Dragon's attack points are converted over to life-points! The move might make 'im a little weak until next round, but at least there will be a next round!
(Cusillu raises its mighty fist and pounds it on the ground. Leo runs away, but can't outrun the whole attack; he lands on his face on the ground, covered with a blanket of dirt raised by the impact.)
Leo: Ugh... if you're out there, Luna, I could use some sisterly advice. If not... I'm done for.
(Zeman's castle.)
Luna: Leo? (to Torunka and Regulus) He needs my help!
Torunka: You sure?
Luna: You've gotta do something, Torunka! Or we'll all be sucked into that thing!
Regulus: Unless we find a way to stop Devack, he'll take each and every spirit from our world!
Torunka: Well, then, let's stop him!
Luna: But how?
Torunka: Like this— I have just enough strength to send you back to your own world. Now, listen— you must defeat that Devack!
Regulus: Hm. He's right, my little warriors. Should you fail, all is lost.
Luna: Gotcha! No pressure.
(Torunka meditates over his staff a moment, then holds it out; bright flash...)
Luna and Lyra: Ahh!
(The next thing Luna sees is an aerial view of the Satellite and the monkey symbol coming closer and closer. A ball of light appears next to Leo in the duel, and another by Sect and the others. Devack is mystified.)
(Yusei, Seria, Sect, Aura and Trudge seem to be bracing themselves for more trouble.)
Trudge: Look!
Yusei: ...Luna?
Lyra: Not just her!
Sect: LYRA?! Where were you?
Lyra: Now's not the time for questions Sect!
Luna: (The bubble disappears and there stands there, back in her normal clothes, hands clasped, and glowing with reddish energy. She opens her eyes. And sees Leo on the ground. She drops to her knees next to him.) Ah! Leo! Please tell me that you're alright!
Leo: (Raises his head, with effort; he's covered with dirt and scratches.) Urgh. Luna... Everything's under control!
Luna: (Gently helps him sit up.) Of course it is. But now it's time for me to help you. I'm gonna take over your duel, okay?
Leo: I guess I really let you down, huh, sis? I couldn't even win one little match. Just look at me- I'm the sidekick who can't do anything...
Luna: Except be my hero.
Leo: Huh?
Luna: (Hugs him close, crying.) It's true; not- not as a duelist— but as my brother!
Leo: Ugh! Not so hard! You're squeezing the tears out! (He's crying, too. Yusei almost smiles.)
Devack: Hahahaha. I'm glad you've finally joined us, Luna. My Earthbound Immortal has been waiting patiently. Let's duel, Signer!
Luna: Oh, we'll duel, Devack! And when I get through with you, you're gonna wish you never messed with any of my spirit friends!
Devack: Will I?!
Luna: (Detaches Leo's duel disk from his arm.) Don't worry, Leo. I promise I'll be fine.
Leo: Be careful out there. As long as he has this field up, that Earthbound monkey is practically invincible!
Luna: (Straps on Leo's duel disk.) I'm not worried. I'm not doing this alone; I've got your deck. You know it's kind of like we're duelling together, isn't it!
Leo: I guess so— but if we're duelling together I'm staying by your side!
Luna: I hoped you would. Now let's win this duel. (She stands, ready to duel.)
Lyra: Luna!
Luna: (Looks up at her, through the flames.) Guys, it's gonna be okay.
Yusei: Be safe. Huh?
(His arm is lighting up with a quiet whistling noise.)
(Luna and Lyra's Signs are also glowing...)
(With Akiza and Mina.)
Mina: Akiza, your Sign!
(With Jack).
Jack: So Luna's back in the game. I really hope she knows what she's in for...!
(Devack's control station.)
Luna: Let's role-call. Looks like I got Power Tool Dragon on my field... and you've got a giant turkey-day balloon on yours! (Gets into a duelling stance, duel disk held out across her chest.)
Devack: I'm glad that you can make jokes at a time like this- it's no fun taking the spirit of someone who's lost hope; and speaking of someone who's lost hope, it's time I reintroduce you to one of your oldest friends! But first I activate the Cursed Prison trap! Now I can summon a synchro monster of my choosing, and it just happens to be the very same one you failed to save back in the Spirit World!
Luna: Ahh!
Devack: Allow me to introduce my prisoner, your precious Ancient Fairy Dragon! (Cursed Prison is a cage shaped perhaps vaguely like a lantern; inside, Ancient Fairy Dragon is bound in rusty metal chains, suspended in its centre by her wings.) Say hello to your Ancient Fairy Dragon!
Luna: What did you do to her, Devack?! She's not some stray dog you can lock up in a cage!
Devack: That's exactly what she is— a wild animal. And if she doesn't learn to behave, I'll tear her card in half!
Luna: We'll see about that! My turn! (Draws card- Limiter Removal. It contains Dark Matter, Pot of Avarice, Gadget Hauler, Respect Synchron, and now Limiter Removal.) Thanks to Power Tool Dragon's ability, I can search my deck, find an equip spell, and send it to my hand! (She draws her equip spell, and plays it, Central Shield.) And this one's going right into immediate action.
Leo: I forgot I had that! And now even though Luna can't stop Devack's Immortal from attacking, at least she can protect her dragon! So you don't have to worry, 'cause my sis isn't gonna let anything happen to you! Isn't that right, Luna!
Luna: (Nods.) ("I just hope that I don't let the three of us down.") (She takes Limiter Removal and Respect Synchron from her hand and...) I think I'll end my turn with two face-downs!
Devack: A shield and a couple face-downs don't exactly lead the Dark Signers to tremble in fear. If that's all you can offer, I'm afraid the Crimson Dragon made a grave mistake choosing you as a Signer. Please tell me they didn't entrust the fate of the world to you and a toy dragon! (Draws card) You can't win! And now, Earthbound Immortal Cusillu, send this pathetic Signer to the Netherworld!
Luna: This Signer's not going anywhere! I play the trap Limiter Removal, which doubles this toy's attack points.
Devack: How dare you!
(Cusillu's fist collides with Power Tool Dragon and the impact sends shock waves both directions; Devack and the twins both withstand the wind, as do the spectators.)
Seria: You go, girl!
Devack: Unwise! I guess you don't know what happens when I get angry! It doesn't end well for anyone! And that, I'm afraid, is terrible news for both you and your precious Ancient Fairy Dragon, dear Luna! If you have any parting words for her, you had better share them now; if not, you might want to shut your eyes. This won't be pretty.
(Ancient Fairy Dragon is tributed and Luna loses half her life-points, leaving her with 200. Luna seems to fold, spent. Leo rushes over to catch her.)
Luna: Aaaagh!
Leo: Ohh! Are you okay?! I'm here, Luna!
Luna: Don't worry, Leo... It's time to take back my Ancient Fairy Dragon.
Devack: ...But she's in my graveyard.
Luna: And that's just what I was hoping for. As long as she was stuck on your field, it would've been impossible to get 'er back. But you sacrificed her, making her a free agent! And now, by playing Respect Synchron, she can join my team! And with a heavy-hitter like Ancient Fairy Dragon on my side of the field, you and your Earthbound Immortal don't stand a chance of winning this duel! Thanks for helping me get 'er back!
Devack: This cannot be!
(Ancient Fairy Dragon appears on Luna's side of the field, wrapped in chains. Regulus appears and shatters the chains with his mighty jaws. Ancient Fairy Dragon spreads her gossamer wings, and roars to the sky.)
Luna: (She's uplifted at the sight of Ancient Fairy Dragon on her field.)
Leo: You did it! You got her back!
Luna: Mm! Ancient Fairy Dragon, I kept my promise!
Ancient Fairy Dragon: Thank you, Luna. I asked your help to free me, and you risked your life and your spirit, to see that I was delivered from Devack's prison. Now that I am free, we can begin to heal the Spirit World.
Seria: Look at that! She's beautiful!
Yusei: Ya think?
Trudge: Yeah, ya know, like pretty. For a dragon.
Yusei: But pretty doesn't win duels, I'm afraid.
Luna: Normally Limiter Removal's effect would destroy my Dragon, but if I send Central Shield to the graveyard, my dragon doesn't have to go anywhere! Looks like that's two dragons to your none!
Devack: Very clever. But even one hundred Ancient Fairy Dragons wouldn't be enough to help you now! Now let's just see you try and take out my Earthbound Immortal!
Luna: Feel up to it, Leo?
Leo: Yup! Let's draw that card, sis!
Both: (Draw together; they get the spell Rocket Pilder.) Ha!
Luna: But before we play anything, we activate our dragon's special ability, which uproots your Closed Forest field spell!
Devack: No! You wouldn't!
(The dead trees all shatter one by one.)
Leo: Take that!
(Luna's life-points increase to 1200; Cusillu's attack points decrease to their original 2800.)
Devack: Argh!
Yusei: All right! With that field spell gone, Devack's monkey has no special abilities!
Sect: He's done for, now!
Luna: But I'm not. Because Power Tool Dragon lets me add another equip spell straight to my hand! And now that I've got two, I think I'll power up both my dragons! (Ancient Fairy Dragon gets a long scarf, Pain To Power; Power Tool Dragon, a massive mounted rocket, Rocket Pilder.) Devack! This is the end of the line for you and your monkey!
Devack: I'm afraid this is the end of nothing, little girl!
Luna: We'll see about that!
(Propelled by its rocket, Power Tool Dragon goes flying up Cusillu's arm toward its heart. Big bright flash of light. Lots of wind and dust.)
Leo: Luna-a!
(The twins cling together in the storm.)
Devack: And what did I tell you! All you've done is destroy Power Tool Dragon and hurt yourself!
Leo: Try reading the card!
Luna: Yeah; he can't be destroyed as long as he's equipped with Rocket Pilder. And that's not the card's only bonus. Your monster loses attack points for each of our Power Tool Dragon's attack points.
Devack: You can't!
Luna: I'm afraid we can, and we did! And now, my Fairy Dragon's equip spell kicks in! All the life that I just lost was worth every point; thanks to Pain to Power, it all gets converted to attack points! I think she's still mad about being locked up! And it's finally time for her to get some payback! Whadya think about that! Ancient Fairy Dragon, chase those shadows away!
(Ancient Fairy Dragon glows in a multi-coloured rainbow; Devack recoils; Yusei, Trudge, and Leo shield their eyes; but Luna watches unblinkingly, determined to see this through. Cusillu recoils from the light, and slowly dissolves into sparkles. Devack stands braced against the blast, but it's too strong; it blows back his hood, and he shouts into the explosion as his life-points drop to zero. The Mark of the Monkey disappears from the landscape as though it had never been, not even disturbing the dust.)
Leo: You did it, Luna!
Luna: No, Leo, we did it. Now the spirits will be safe from De—
Devack: You!
Luna: Ohh!
(Devack lurches toward them, obscured by shadowy streaks in the air, a fearsome spectre. Leo puts himself between Luna and the horror, arms protectively outstretched.)
Devack: You think you've won?!
Twins: Ohh...
Devack: This. Isn't. Over! I won't fall alone! You're coming- with- me!
Yusei: We gotta get down there, now!
Devack:(Looms over the twins, his eyes completely black; he seems to be deteriorating as they watch him.) You- will not stop- the shadows- from devouring this world... for I will... destroy you, I will... drag you down into the netherworld-d-d... (He begins to fall forward, reaching for them. Yusei tackles them out of the way, and Devack keeps falling, disintegrating into a pile of black dust that falls lifelessly to the ground. The twins stare, frightened and awestruck, over Yusei's shoulder. In the Spirit World, the Mark of the Monkey vanishes from the sky, and little wisps of purple light flit from the heavens, swirling into the ruins of Zeman's castle through the huge hole in the ceiling and returning to the designs on the wall.)
Torunka: Spirits! You're safe!
(The purple lights each shoot into a card on the wall, and the duel spirits appear in the air overhead.)
Torunka: She did it! The human child has saved the Spirit World! Now she must begin the task of saving her own world.
(Meanwhile, back at the Monkey star of destiny, without the cover of dark clouds, the sun is most of the way over the horizon. Yusei, Trudge, and the twins are watching the sun rise.)
Leo: This is a total 'happy ending' moment!
Luna: Except this isn't the ending.
Trudge: Are you feeling okay, you two?
Luna and Leo: (Nod.)
(Yusei kneels and puts a hand on Leo's shoulder.)
Yusei: Leo—
Leo: Hmm?
Yusei: You were really great.
(Leo's eyes grow huge and tears form in the corners. To Leo, such praise from Yusei means quite a lot. He immediately wipes his eyes on his arm.)
Luna: Awww… Cry-baby.
Voice of Ancient Fairy Dragon: Luna!
Luna: Ancient Fairy Dragon! Regulus!
(The two duel spirits have appeared before them.)
Trudge: Where did those things come from? Is there a laser light show going on?
Voice of Ancient Fairy Dragon: No, Officer Trudge. We are not illusions; we are real.
Trudge: Whoa! Did that thing just talk back to me?! (He faints on the ground, comically, straight backward. The others glance back at him.)
Leo: Grown-ups are so weird.
Voice of Ancient Fairy Dragon: Luna. I thought you should know; by defeating that Dark Signer, you have saved us all. The spirits captured by the Earthbound Immortal, are free now. And they have returned home to the Spirit World.
Luna: And has everything stopped going in reverse?
Voice of Ancient Fairy Dragon: Yes! All thanks to you!
Luna: Actually, it isn't all thanks to me. I couldn't have done it without my brother Leo's help. He set up Devack so I could finish 'im off. And Yusei stuck by Leo's side the whole time!
Voice of Ancient Fairy Dragon: Then I offer my thanks to Leo, and Yusei.
Yusei: Our fight with the Dark Signers isn't over. Will you help us?
Voice of Ancient Fairy Dragon: The Dark Signers are like a disease. If they are not vanquished completely, their power will grow back. And the Spirit World will once again be in danger. We must finish this. I will fight alongside you, even if it destroys me!
Regulus: I, too, will fight alongside you, until the bitter end.
(They both glow multi-colours, and the light streams into Luna's hand. She now holds two cards: Ancient Fairy Dragon, and Regulus.)
Luna: We did it, Yusei! I finally have the card Mina said we'd need! Ah...
(They approach the Monkey control star, and Yusei touches the door; it slides open.)
Luna: So is this one of those towers Mina was talking about? That, like, control the energy reactor thing?
Yusei: Yup. This is it.
(Through a second door, stands a plinth, carved with the same monkey image seen on the outside face of the building, with a rectangular frame clearly meant to hold a card.)
Yusei: Luna, do you have the card ready?
(Luna steps forward sombrely with Ancient Fairy Dragon.)
Luna: Mmm-hmm. This is the part where we hope this works. Here goes everything, I guess.
(She puts the card in the plinth. For a second, nothing happens, then the plinth's carvings light up around the card. They hear mechanical beeping. The building begins to shake. Leo looks around with fearful curiosity.)
Yusei: I have a feeling we might wanna run right now.
(Luna grabs her card, and they do. The doors slide shut behind them, and when they're outside they turn and watch. The tower itself sinks swiftly into the ground.)
Leo: Where's it going?
(The tower disappears beneath the surface of the earth, and within moments the spot on which it stood is bare, as though the tower had never stood at all. The three are amazed.)
Trudge: Calm down, everyone, I'm awake! I'm okay!... Where'd the tower go? There... was a tower here, right?
Leo: Uh... I didn't see any tower.
Trudge: Ugh, I need some sleep! I keep seeing things that aren't there! Towers, dragons, flying lions...
(The twins exchange a look and burst out laughing.)
Luna: Gotcha!
Yusei: And now it's time we got going. There's three towers left; and the next one's mine! Time to settle things up with my old friend Kalin!
(Somewhere in the distance there's another tower, the clouds around it obscuring the waxing day; and when the blue lightning strikes around its base, the heavens light up with the mark of the giant.)
Lyra: (Looks at the ground.) Saph…
Yusei: Did you say something just now, Lyra?
Lyra: No! No! Nothing!
Trudge: First all those flames, then duel monster spirits…
Lyra: They should be alright now the Minus Curse is gone!
Leo: About what you said to Luna before, Seria.
Seria: Huh? What?
Leo: You can heal people, right?
Seria: Yeah. After I rip open their arm causing a huge gash, before-
Leo: On second thoughts, forget I even asked.
All (Except Leo): (Laugh.)
Luna: Hey, Trudge; could you please take us back to the city?
Yusei: That sounds good. You two need your strength back.
Leo: Sounds like a good idea…
Yusei: We'll catch up when Trudge flies the helicopter back over, 'kay?
Leo: Sure.
Trudge: WHAT?!
Lyra: Well, the only way outta Satellite is by some mode of transport or that pipeline, right?
Trudge: Yeah, yeah; I gotcha. Come on, you two.
Leo and Luna: See you later guys! (They wave goodbye with Trudge and exit.)
(Act 8- End)
